# 2003 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

Two human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), does not bestow a National Championship title for Division I-A football. That title is primarily bestowed by different polling agencies. There are several polls that currently exist. The main weekly polls are the AP Poll and Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings are released.

## Legend

| | Increase in ranking |
| | Decrease in ranking |
| | Not ranked previous week |
| | Selected for BCS National Championship Game |
| (#–#) | Win–loss record |
| (Italics) | Number of first place votes |
| т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |

## AP Poll

| | Preseason | Week 1 Sep 1 | Week 2 Sep 7 | Week 3 Sep 14 | Week 4 Sep 21 | Week 5 Sep 28 | Week 6 Oct 5 | Week 7 Oct 12 | Week 8 Oct 19 | Week 9 Oct 26 | Week 10 Nov 2 | Week 11 Nov 9 | Week 12 Nov 16 | Week 13 Nov 23 | Week 14 Nov 30 | Week 15 Dec 7 | Week 16 (Final) Jan 5 | |
| 1. | Oklahoma (32) | Oklahoma (1–0) (30) | Oklahoma (2–0) (47) | Oklahoma (3–0) (50) | Oklahoma (4–0) (55) | Oklahoma (4–0) (57) | Oklahoma (5–0) (59) | Oklahoma (6–0) (61) | Oklahoma (7–0) (62) | Oklahoma (8–0) (62) | Oklahoma (9–0) (65) | Oklahoma (10–0) (65) | Oklahoma (11–0) (65) | Oklahoma (12–0) (65) | Oklahoma (12–0) (65) | USC (11–1) (42) | USC (12–1) (48) | 1. |
| 2. | Ohio State (27) | Ohio State (1–0) (25) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (2) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (1) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (3) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (3) | USC (8–1) | USC (8–1) | USC (9–1) | USC (10–1) | USC (10–1) | LSU (12–1) (21) | LSU (13–1) (17) | 2. |
| 3. | Miami (FL) (2) | Miami (FL) (1–0) (2) | Ohio State (2–0) (8) | Michigan (3–0) (4) | USC (3–0) (2) | Ohio State (5–0) (5) | Ohio State (5–0) (5) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | USC (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | LSU (8–1) | LSU (9–1) | LSU (10–1) | LSU (11–1) | Oklahoma (12–1) (2) | Oklahoma (12–2) | 3. |
| 4. | Michigan (2) | USC (1–0) (6) | USC (2–0) (4) | USC (3–0) (2) | Ohio State (4–0) (5) | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | Georgia (5–1) | Georgia (6–1) | Georgia (7–1) | LSU (8–1) | Ohio State (9–1) | Ohio State (10–1) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Ohio State (11–2) | 4. |
| 5. | Texas | Michigan (1–0) (2) | Michigan (2–0) (2) | Ohio State (3–0) (6) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Florida State (5–0) | Florida State (5–0) | USC (5–1) | USC (6–1) | Florida State (7–1) | Virginia Tech (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Georgia (9–2) | Georgia (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | Miami (FL) (11–2) | 5. |
| 6. | Auburn (1) | Texas (1–0) | Texas (2–0) | Kansas State (4–0) | Florida State (4–0) | LSU (5–0) | LSU (5–0) | Washington State (5–1) | Florida State (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Miami (FL) (7–1) | Texas (8–2) | Georgia (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Michigan (10–3) | 6. |
| 7. | Kansas State (1) | Kansas State (2–0) | Kansas State (3–0) | Georgia (3–0) | LSU (4–0) | Tennessee (4–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | Florida State (5–1) | Washington State (6–1) | LSU (7–1) | Ohio State (8–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Texas (9–2) | Tennessee (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Georgia (11–3) | 7. |
| 8. | USC | Georgia (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | Georgia (4–1) | Ohio State (5–1) | Ohio State (6–1) | Ohio State (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Washington State (8–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Kansas State (11–3) | Iowa (10–3) | 8. |
| 9. | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | Arkansas (3–0) | Michigan (4–1) | USC (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | LSU (6–1) | Michigan State (7–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Tennessee (7–2) | Tennessee (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Washington State (10–3) | 9. |
| 10. | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh (0–0) | Florida State (2–0) | Florida State (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | USC (3–1) | Nebraska (5–0) | LSU (5–1) | Purdue (6–1) | Virginia Tech (6–1) | Iowa (7–2) | TCU (9–0) | TCU (10–0) | Miami (FL) (9–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Miami (OH) (13–1) | 10. |
| 11. | Georgia | Florida State (1–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | LSU (3–0) | Michigan (3–1) | Georgia (3–1) | Texas (4–1) | Arkansas (4–1) | Michigan State (7–1) | Michigan (7–2) | Texas (7–2) | Purdue (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida (8–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Georgia (10–3) | Florida State (10–3) | 11. |
| 12. | Tennessee | Tennessee (1–0) | LSU (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Georgia (3–1) | Nebraska (4–0) | Washington State (5–1) | Northern Illinois (6–0) | Northern Illinois (7–0) | Nebraska (7–1) | Washington State (7–2) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Purdue (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Texas (10–3) | 12. |
| 13. | Florida State | LSU (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Texas (1–1) | Iowa (4–0) | Texas (3–1) | Tennessee (4–1) | Purdue (5–1) | Michigan (6–2) | Iowa (6–2) | TCU (8–0) | Florida State (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Ole Miss (10–3) | 13. |
| 14. | LSU | NC State (1–0) | Wisconsin (1–0) | Arkansas (2–0) | Texas (2–1) | Washington State (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Wisconsin (6–1) | Nebraska (6–1) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Michigan State (7–2) | Miami (FL) (7–2) | Miami (FL) (8–2) | Kansas State (10–3) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | Miami (OH) (12–1) | Kansas State (11–4) | 14. |
| 15. | Maryland | Virginia (1–0) | Notre Dame (1–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Michigan State (6–1) | TCU (7–0) | TCU (8–0) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Florida (6–3) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Miami (OH) (10–1) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Tennessee (10–3) | 15. |
| 16. | NC State | Purdue (0–0) | Arizona State (1–0) | Arizona State (2–0) | Kansas State (4–1) | Kansas State (4–1) | Northern Illinois (5–0) | TCU (6–0) | Iowa (5–2) | Texas (6–2) | Purdue (7–2) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | Purdue (8–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Florida (8–4) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Boise State (13–1) | 16. |
| 17. | Washington | Auburn (0–1) | Colorado (2–0) | Florida (2–1) | Pittsburgh (2–1) | Northern Illinois (4–0) | Minnesota (6–0) | Michigan (5–2) | Auburn (5–2) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Florida (6–3) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Iowa (8–3) | Ole Miss (8–3) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Florida (8–4) | Maryland (10–3) | 17. |
| 18. | Virginia | Wisconsin (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Iowa (3–0) | Washington (2–1) | Washington (3–1) | Purdue (4–1) | Auburn (4–2) | Oklahoma State (6–1) | Purdue (6–2) | Tennessee (6–2) | Nebraska (8–2) | Miami (OH) (9–1) | Boise State (10–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Boise State (12–1) | Purdue (9–4) | 18. |
| 19. | Purdue | Notre Dame (0–0) | Wake Forest (2–0) | Washington (1–1) | TCU (3–0) | Oregon (4–1) | TCU (5–0) | Nebraska (5–1) | Texas (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2) | Nebraska (7–2) | Minnesota (9–2) | Kansas State (9–3) | TCU (10–1) | TCU (11–1) | TCU (11–1) | Nebraska (10–3) | 19. |
| 20. | Notre Dame | Arizona State (0–0) | Florida (2–0) | TCU (2–0) | Northern Illinois (3–0) | TCU (4–0) | Michigan (4–2) | Texas (4–2) | Wisconsin (6–2) | Ole Miss (6–2) | Ole Miss (7–2) | Iowa (7–3) | Boise State (9–1) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Bowling Green (10–2) | West Virginia (8–4) | Minnesota (10–3) | 20. |
| 21. | Wisconsin | Florida (1–0) | Washington (1–1) | Alabama (2–1) | Washington State (3–1) | Minnesota (5–0) | Michigan State (5–1) | Tennessee (4–2) | Arkansas (4–2) | Missouri (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Michigan State (7–3) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Virginia Tech (8–3) | West Virginia (8–4) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Utah (10–2) | 21. |
| 22. | Arizona State | Washington (0–1) | TCU (2–0) | Oregon (3–0) | Purdue (2–1) | Purdue (3–1) | Kansas State (4–2) | Oregon State (5–1) | Tennessee (4–2) | Northern Illinois (7–1) | Missouri (6–2) | Northern Illinois (9–1) | Bowling Green (8–2) | Bowling Green (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Clemson (9–4) | 22. |
| 23. | Colorado State | Nebraska (1–0) | Iowa (2–0) | Missouri (3–0) | Missouri (4–0) | Iowa (4–1) | Wisconsin (5–1) | Oklahoma State (5–1) | Bowling Green (6–1) | Florida (5–3) | Northern Illinois (8–1) | Miami (OH) (8–1) | Nebraska (8–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Maryland (9–3) | Bowling Green (11–3) | 23. |
| 24. | Oklahoma State | Colorado (1–0) | NC State (1–1) | Washington State (2–1) | Minnesota (4–0) | Florida (3–2) | Oregon State (5–1) | Missouri (5–1) | Utah (6–1) | Minnesota (7–2) | Minnesota (8–2) | Boise State (8–1) | Oklahoma State (8–3) | West Virginia (7–4) | Maryland (9–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Florida (8–5) | 24. |
| 25. | TCU | TCU (0–0) | South Carolina (2–0) | Purdue (1–1) | Florida (2–2) | Michigan State (4–1) | Virginia (4–1) | Minnesota (6–1) | Florida (5–3) | Pittsburgh (5–2) | Pittsburgh (6–2) | Bowling Green (7–2) | West Virginia (6–4) | Nebraska (8–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Utah (9–2) | TCU (11–2) | 25. |
| | Preseason | Week 1 Sep 1 | Week 2 Sep 7 | Week 3 Sep 14 | Week 4 Sep 21 | Week 5 Sep 28 | Week 6 Oct 5 | Week 7 Oct 12 | Week 8 Oct 19 | Week 9 Oct 26 | Week 10 Nov 2 | Week 11 Nov 9 | Week 12 Nov 16 | Week 13 Nov 23 | Week 14 Nov 30 | Week 15 Dec 7 | Week 16 (Final) Jan 5 | |
| | | Dropped: MarylandColorado StateOklahoma State | Dropped: VirginiaPurdueAuburn | Dropped: WisconsinNotre DameColoradoWake ForestNC StateSouth Carolina | Dropped: Arizona StateAlabama | Dropped: Missouri | Dropped: WashingtonOregonFlorida | Dropped: PittsburghKansas StateVirginia | Dropped: Oregon StateMissouriMinnesota | Dropped: AuburnWisconsinArkansasUtah | None | Dropped: Oklahoma StateMissouri | Dropped: MinnesotaMichigan StateNorthern Illinois | None | Dropped: PittsburghVirginia Tech | Dropped: Bowling Green | Dropped: West VirginiaOklahoma State | |

## Coaches Poll

| | Preseason | Week 1 Aug 24 | Week 2 Sep 1 | Week 3 Sep 7 | Week 4 Sep 14 | Week 5 Sep 21 | Week 6 Sep 28 | Week 7 Oct 5 | Week 8 Oct 12 | Week 9 Oct 19 | Week 10 Oct 26 | Week 11 Nov 2 | Week 12 Nov 9 | Week 13 Nov 16 | Week 14 Nov 23 | Week 15 Nov 30 | Week 16 Dec 7 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 5 | |
| 1. | Oklahoma (29) | Oklahoma (0–0) (37) | Oklahoma (1–0) (32) | Oklahoma (2–0) (41) | Oklahoma (3–0) (46) | Oklahoma (4–0) (51) | Oklahoma (4–0) (49) | Oklahoma (5–0) (53) | Oklahoma (6–0) (58) | Oklahoma (7–0) (57) | Oklahoma (8–0) (58) | Oklahoma (9–0) (63) | Oklahoma (10–0) (63) | Oklahoma (11–0) (63) | Oklahoma (12–0) (63) | Oklahoma (12–0) (63) | USC (11–1) (37) | LSU (13–1) (60) | 1. |
| 2. | Ohio State (28) | Ohio State (0–0) (23) | Ohio State (1–0) (26) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (8) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (8) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (8) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (4) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (5) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (5) | USC (7–1) | USC (8–1) | USC (9–1) | USC (10–1) | USC (10–1) | LSU (12–1) (18) | USC (12–1) (3) | 2. |
| 3. | Miami (FL) (5) | Miami (FL) (0–0) (2) | Miami (FL) (1–0) (5) | Ohio State (2–0) (13) | USC (3–0) (1) | USC (3–0) (1) | Ohio State (5–0) (6) | Ohio State (5–0) (6) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Virginia Tech (6–0) | USC (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | LSU (8–1) | LSU (9–1) | LSU (10–1) | LSU (11–1) | Oklahoma (12–1) (8) | Oklahoma (12–2) | 3. |
| 4. | Texas | Texas (0–0) | Texas (1–0) | USC (2–0) (1) | Ohio State (3–0) (7) | Ohio State (4–0) (5) | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Virginia Tech (5–0) | USC (5–1) | USC (6–1) | Georgia (6–1) | LSU (8–1) | Ohio State (9–1) | Ohio State (10–1) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Ohio State (11–2) | 4. |
| 5. | Kansas State | Kansas State (1–0) | USC (1–0) | Texas (1–0) | Michigan (3–0) (1) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Florida State (5–0) | Florida State (5–0) | Georgia (5–1) | Georgia (6–1) | Florida State (7–1) | Virginia Tech (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Georgia (9–2) | Georgia (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | Miami (FL) (11–2) | 5. |
| 6. | Auburn (1) | Auburn (0–0) (1) | Kansas State (2–0) | Kansas State (3–0) | Kansas State (4–0) | Florida State (4–0) | LSU (5–0) | LSU (5–0) | Washington State (5–1) | Washington State (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Ohio State (8–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Georgia (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Georgia (11–3) | 6. |
| 7. | Michigan | Michigan (0–0) | Michigan (1–0) | Michigan (2–0) | Georgia (3–0) | LSU (4–0) | Tennessee (4–0) | Nebraska (5–0) | Florida State (5–1) | Florida State (6–1) | Ohio State (7–1) | Miami (FL) (6–1) | Texas (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Michigan (10–3) | 7. |
| 8. | USC | USC (0–0) | Georgia (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | Nebraska (4–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | Ohio State (5–1) | Ohio State (6–1) | LSU (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Washington State (8–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Tennessee (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Iowa (10–3) | 8. |
| 9. | Georgia | Georgia (0–0) | Virginia Tech (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Florida State (3–0) | Iowa (4–0) | Arkansas (4–0) | USC (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | LSU (6–1) | Nebraska (6–1) | Georgia (6–2) | TCU (9–0) | TCU (10–0) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Washington State (10–3) | 9. |
| 10. | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech (0–0) | Florida State (1–0) | Florida State (2–0) | LSU (3–0) | Michigan (3–1) | USC (3–1) | Georgia (4–1) | LSU (5–1) | Purdue (6–1) | Michigan State (6–1) | Iowa (7–2) | Purdue (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Miami (FL) (9–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Kansas State (11–3) | Florida State (10–3) | 10. |
| 11. | Pittsburgh | Florida State (0–0) | NC State (1–0) | LSU (2–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Michigan (4–1) | Texas (4–1) | Arkansas (4–1) | Nebraska (6–1) | Virginia Tech (6–1) | Texas (6–2) | Florida State (8–2) | Tennessee (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Georgia (10–3) | Texas (10–3) | 11. |
| 12. | Florida State | Pittsburgh (0–0) | Pittsburgh (0–0) | Pittsburgh (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Georgia (3–1) | Georgia (3–1) | Washington State (5–1) | Wisconsin (6–1) | Michigan State (7–1) | Michigan (6–2) | TCU (8–0) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Iowa (9–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Miami (OH) (13–1) | 12. |
| 13. | Maryland | NC State (0–0) | LSU (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Texas (1–1) | Texas (2–1) | Texas (3–1) | Minnesota (6–0) | TCU (6–0) | TCU (7–0) | TCU (8–0) | Washington State (7–2) | Tennessee (7–2) | Miami (FL) (8–2) | Purdue (9–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Purdue (9–3) | Kansas State (11–4) | 13. |
| 14. | NC State | Maryland (0–0) | Tennessee (1–0) | Notre Dame (1–0) | Iowa (3–0) | Arkansas (3–0) | Kansas State (4–1) | Tennessee (4–1) | Nebraska (5–1) | Northern Illinois (7–0) | Iowa (6–2) | Purdue (6–2) | Miami (FL) (7–2) | Florida (8–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Ole Miss(10–3) | 14. |
| 15. | LSU | LSU (0–0) | Virginia (1–0) | Wisconsin (2–0) | Nebraska (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Washington State (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Purdue (5–1) | Michigan (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Michigan State (6–2) | Nebraska (8–2) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Kansas State (10–3) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | Miami (OH) (12–1) | Boise State (13–1) | 15. |
| 16. | Tennessee | Tennessee (0–0) | Notre Dame (0–0) | Arizona State (1–0) | Arizona State (2–0) | Kansas State (4–1) | Minnesota (5–0) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Northern Illinois (6–0) | Iowa (5–2) | Texas (5–2) | Nebraska (6–2) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | Purdue (8–3) | Miami (OH) | Florida (8–4) | Boise State (12–1) | Tennessee (10–3) | 16. |
| 17. | Virginia | Virginia (0–0) | Wisconsin (1–0) | Colorado (2–0) | Florida (2–1) | TCU (3–0) | Washington (3–1) | TCU (5–0) | Michigan (5–2) | Wisconsin (6–2) | Purdue (5–2) | Tennessee (6–2) | Minnesota (9–2) | Iowa (8–3) | TCU (10–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Florida (8–4) | Minnesota (10–3) | 17. |
| 18. | Notre Dame | Notre Dame (0–0) | Florida (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Arkansas (2–0) | Washington (2–1) | Pittsburgh (3–1) | Northern Illinois (5–0) | Michigan State (6–1) | Texas (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2) | Minnesota (7–2) | Florida (7–3) | Kansas State (9–3) | Boise State (10–1) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Nebraska (10–3) | 18. |
| 19. | Washington | Washington (0–0) | Auburn (0–1) | Iowa (2–0) | TCU (2–0) | Pittsburgh (2–1) | Iowa (4–1) | Michigan (4–2) | Minnesota (6–1) | Oklahoma State (6–1) | Minnesota (6–2) | Florida (6–3) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Miami (OH) (9–1) | Ole Miss (8–3) | TCU (11–1) | TCU (11–1) | Purdue (9–4) | 19. |
| 20. | Wisconsin | Wisconsin (0–0) | Purdue (0–0) | Florida (1–1) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Minnesota (4–0) | Northern Illinois (4–0) | Purdue (4–1) | Texas (4–2) | Arkansas (4–2) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Iowa (7–3) | Boise State (9–1) | Virginia Tech (8–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Maryland (10–3) | 20. |
| 21. | Florida | Florida (0–0) | Arizona State (0–0) | Wake Forest (2–0) | Washington (1–1) | Washington State (3–1) | TCU (4–0) | Kansas State (4–2) | Oregon State (5–1) | Auburn (4–2) | Florida (5–3) | Pittsburgh (5–2) | Northern Illinois (9–1) | Minnesota (9–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Utah (10–2) | 21. |
| 22. | Purdue | Purdue (0–0) | Colorado (1–0) | NC State (1–1) | Oregon (3–0) | Northern Illinois (3–0) | Oregon (4–1) | Wisconsin (5–1) | Tennessee (4–2) | Tennessee (4–2) | Northern Illinois (7–1) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Michigan State (7–3) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Clemson (9–4) | 22. |
| 23. | Arizona State | Arizona State (0–0) | Iowa (1–0) | TCU (2–0) | Notre Dame (1–1) | Missouri(4–0) | Purdue (3–1) | Michigan State (5–1) | Texas Tech (5–1) | Utah | Pittsburgh (4–2) | Northern Illinois (8–1) | Boise State (8–1) | Nebraska (8–3) | Nebraska (8–3) | Bowling Green (10–2) | West Virginia (8–4) | Bowling Green (11–3) | 23. |
| 24. | Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State (0–0) | Nebraska (1–0) | Washington (1–1) | Minnesota (3–0) | Arizona State (2–1) | Florida (3–2) | Virginia (4–1) | Oklahoma State (5–1) | Minnesota (6–2) | Missouri (6–2) | Ole Miss (7–2) | Miami (OH) (8–1) | Oklahoma State (7–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | West Virginia (8–4) | Maryland (9–3) | TCU (11–2) | 24. |
| 25. | Penn State тColorado State т | Iowa (0–0) | Penn State (1–0) | Texas A&M (2–0) | Washington State (2–1) | Florida (2–2) | Air Force (5–0) | Oregon State (5–1) | Auburn (4–4) | Florida (5–3) | Louisville (7–1) | Louisville (7–1) | Kansas State (8–3) | Bowling Green (8–2) | Bowling Green (9–2) | Maryland (9–3) | Utah (9–2) | Florida (8–5) | 25. |
| | Preseason | Week 1 Aug 24 | Week 2 Sep 1 | Week 3 Sep 7 | Week 4 Sep 14 | Week 5 Sep 21 | Week 6 Sep 28 | Week 7 Oct 5 | Week 8 Oct 12 | Week 9 Oct 19 | Week 10 Oct 26 | Week 11 Nov 2 | Week 12 Nov 9 | Week 13 Nov 16 | Week 14 Nov 23 | Week 15 Nov 30 | Week 16 Dec 7 | Week 17 (Final) Jan 5 | |
| | | Dropped: Colorado StatePenn State | Dropped: MarylandWashingtonOklahoma State | Dropped: VirginiaAuburnPurdue | Dropped: WisconsinColoradoWake Forest | Dropped: Texas A&MNotre Dame | Dropped: MissouriArizona State | Dropped: WashingtonOregonFloridaAir Force | Dropped: PittsburghKansas StateVirginia | Dropped: Oregon StateTexas Tech | Dropped: WisconsinArkansasAuburnUtah | Dropped: Missouri | Dropped: Bowling GreenOklahoma State | Dropped: Northern IllinoisMichigan State | None | Dropped: Virginia TechPittsburgh | Dropped: Bowling Green | Dropped: Oklahoma StateWest Virginia | |

## BCS standings

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) determined the two teams that competed in the BCS National Championship Game, the 2004 Sugar Bowl.
| | Week 8 Oct 20 | Week 9 Oct 27 | Week 10 Nov 3 | Week 11 Nov 10 | Week 12 Nov 17 | Week 13 Nov 24 | Week 14 Dec 1 | Week 15 (Final) Dec 7 | |
| 1. | Oklahoma (7–0) | Oklahoma (8–0) | Oklahoma (9–0) | Oklahoma (10–0) | Oklahoma (11–0) | Oklahoma (12–0) | Oklahoma (12–0) | Oklahoma (12–1) | 1. |
| 2. | Miami (FL) (7–0) | Miami (FL) (7–0) | USC (8–1) | USC (8–1) | Ohio State (10–1) | USC (10–1) | USC (10–1) | LSU (12–1) | 2. |
| 3. | Virginia Tech (6–0) | Florida State (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | Ohio State (9–1) | USC (9–1) | LSU (10–1) | LSU (11–1) | USC (11–1) | 3. |
| 4. | Georgia (6–1) | USC (7–1) | Miami (FL) (7–1) | LSU (8–1) | LSU (9–1) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | Michigan (10–2) | 4. |
| 5. | Florida State (6–1) | Georgia (7–1) | Ohio State (8–1) | Texas (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | Ohio State (10–2) | 5. |
| 6. | Ohio State (6–1) | Ohio State (7–1) | Virginia Tech (7–1) | TCU (9–0) | Georgia (8–2) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (10–2) | Texas (10–2) | 6. |
| 7. | USC (6–1) | LSU (7–1) | LSU (8–1) | Tennessee (7–2) | Tennessee (8–2) | Georgia (9–2) | Georgia (10–2) | Florida State (10–2) | 7. |
| 8. | Purdue (6–1) | Washington State (7–1) | Michigan (8–2) | Michigan (8–2) | TCU (10–0) | Tennessee (9–2) | Florida State (10–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | 8. |
| 9. | Washington State (6–1) | Nebraska (7–1) | TCU (8–0) | Georgia (7–2) | Michigan (9–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | 9. |
| 10. | Northern Illinois (7–0) | Michigan State (7–1) | Georgia (7–2) | Washington State (8–2) | Washington State (9–2) | Miami (FL) (9–2) | Miami (FL) (10–2) | Kansas State (11–3) | 10. |
| 11. | Nebraska (6–1) | Iowa (6–2) | Iowa (7–2) | Purdue (8–2) | Florida State (9–2) | Florida (8–3) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | Miami (OH) (11–1) | 11. |
| 12. | LSU (6–1) | TCU (8–0) | Texas (7–2) | Miami (FL) (7–2) | Miami (FL) (8–2) | Iowa (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Georgia (10–3) | 12. |
| 13. | Michigan State (7–1) | Michigan (7–2) | Tennessee (6–2) | Florida State (8–2) | Florida (8–3) | Miami (OH) (10–1) | Purdue (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | 13. |
| 14. | TCU (7–0) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Purdue (7–2) | Florida (6–3) | Miami (OH) (9–1) | Purdue (9–3) | Florida (8–4) | Purdue (9–3) | 14. |
| 15. | Iowa (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2) | Washington State (7–2) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Washington State (9–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Florida (8–4) | 15. |
| 16. | — | Virginia Tech (6–1) | Bowling Green (7–1) | Miami (OH) (8–1) | Purdue (8–3) | Kansas State (10–3) | Washington State (9–3) | Washington State (9–3) | 16. |
| 17. | — | Bowling Green (7–1) | Florida (6–3) | Nebraska (8–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | TCU (10–1) | TCU (11–1) | Boise State (12–1) | 17. |
| 18. | — | Purdue (6–2) | Nebraska (7–2) | Ole Miss (8–2) | Iowa (8–3) | Ole Miss (8–3) | Bowling Green (10–2) | TCU (11–1) | 18. |
| 19. | — | Miami (OH) (7–1) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Pittsburgh (7–2) | Kansas State (9–3) | Boise State (10–1) | Boise State (11–1) | Ole Miss (9–3) | 19. |
| 20. | — | Missouri (6–2) | Michigan State (7–2) | Iowa (7–3) | Bowling Green (8–2) | Bowling Green (9–2) | Ole Miss (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | 20. |
| 21. | — | Florida (5–3) | Miami (OH) (7–1) | Northern Illinois (9–1) | Oklahoma State (8–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | 21. |
| 22. | — | Texas (6–2) | Northern Illinois (8–1) | Minnesota (9–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | Utah (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–3) | Utah (9–2) | 22. |
| 23. | — | Northern Illinois (7–1) | Ole Miss (7–2) | Bowling Green (7–2) | Boise State (9–1) | Nebraska (8–3) | Utah (9–2) | Maryland (9–3) | 23. |
| 24. | — | Minnesota (7–2) | Missouri (6–2) | Michigan State (7–3) | Utah (8–2) | Arkansas (8–3) | Maryland (9–3) | Bowling Green (10–3) | 24. |
| 25. | — | UCLA (6–2) | Pittsburgh (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–3) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | Minnesota (9–3) | 25. |