Alabama, SMP preseason No. 1, jumped back to the top spot following its victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship game Saturday.
The 41-24 victory propelled the Crimson Tide to the top spot, just beating out Big Ten champions Michigan.
| Rank | Team | Points | Record | Trend |
| 1 | 14 Alabama | 660 | 12-1 (8-1) | +3 |
| 2 | 11 Michigan | 657 | 12-1 (8-1) | — |
| 3 | 1 Cincinnati | 613 | 13-0 (8-0) | — |
| 4 | Georgia | 606 | 12-1 (8-0) | -3 |
| 5 | Notre Dame | 553 | 11-1 | +1 |
| 6 | Baylor | 534 | 11-2 (7-2) | +3 |
| 7 | Ohio State | 507 | 10-2 (8-1) | — |
| 8 | Mississippi | 470 | 10-2 (6-2) | — |
| 9 | Oklahoma State | 429 | 11-2 (8-1) | -4 |
| 10 | Pitt | 419 | 11-2 (7-1) | +4 |
| 11 | Utah | 397 | 10-3 (8-1) | +4 |
| 12 | Michigan State | 391 | 10-2 (7-2) | -1 |
| 13 | BYU | 356 | 10-2 | — |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 317 | 10-2 (7-2) | -2 |
| 15 | Oregon | 234 | 10-3 (7-2) | -5 |
| 16 | Louisiana | 227 | 12-1 (8-0) | +6 |
| 17 | NC State | 200 | 9-3 (6-2) | +2 |
| 18 | Wake Forest | 189 | 10-3 (7-1) | — |
| 19 | Houston | 184 | 11-2 (8-0) | -2 |
| 20 | Iowa | 181 | 10-3 (7-2) | -4 |
| 21 | Clemson | 160 | 9-3 (6-2) | — |
| 22 | UTSA | 121 | 12-1 (7-1) | +3 |
| 23 | Arkansas | 100 | 8-4 (4-4) | — |
| 24 | Kentucky | 61 | 9-3 (5-3) | NR |
| 25 | Texas A&M | 56 | 8-4 (4-4) | -1 |
Dropped out: San Diego State (20)
Receiving Votes: Minnesota (35), Utah State (30), San Diego State (29), Wisconsin (20), Purdue (17), Appalachian State (7), Coastal Carolina (7), Arizona State (4), Western Kentucky (3), Northern Illinois (1)
Student Media Poll 