1983 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

none August 2023 December 2025 1983 Nebraska Miami (FL) Big Ten and SEC (4) Two human polls comprised the 1983 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Legend   Increase in ranking   Decrease in ranking   Not ranked previous week   National champion (#–#)   Win–loss record (Italics)   Number of first place votes т Tied with team above or below also with this symbol AP Poll November 2025 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 (Final) Aug 28August 28, 1983 The Top Twenty teams in the preseason Associated Press major college football poll https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140820829/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch January 2, 2017 Sep 5 Sep 12 Sep 19 Sep 26 Oct 3 Oct 10 Oct 17 Oct 24 Oct 31 Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 Dec 5 Jan 3January 3, 1983 The Final AP Top Twenty https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/197186012/ Battle Creek Enquirer January 1, 2017 Nebraska (30) Oklahoma (11) Texas (3) Penn State (2) Auburn (2) Notre Dame Florida State (1) USC Ohio State Michigan (1) North Carolina LSU Alabama Arizona Georgia Iowa Maryland Washington SMU UCLA Nebraska (1–0) (44) Oklahoma (0–0) (3) Texas (0–0) (2) Auburn (0–0) (1) u Notre Dame (0–0) u Michigan (0–0) u Ohio State (0–0) u North Carolina (1–0) u USC (0–0) d Georgia (1–0) u Arizona (1–0) u Florida State (1–0) d LSU (0–0) d Alabama (0–0) d SMU (1–0) u Iowa (0–0) Maryland (0–0) Florida (1–0) npr Washington (0–0) d Penn State (0–1) d UCLA Nebraska (2–0) (51) Oklahoma (1–0) (2) Texas (0–0) (2) Notre Dame (1–0) (1) u Auburn (1–0) d Ohio State (1–0) u Arizona (2–0) u Michigan (1–0) d Florida State (2–0) u North Carolina (2–0) d Georgia (1–0) d Alabama (1–0) u Iowa (1–0) u USC (0–0–1) d Florida (1–0–1) u Washington (1–0) u Maryland (1–0) SMU (2–0) d Pittsburgh (2–0) npr West Virginia (2–0) npr LSU Penn State Nebraska (3–0) (57) Texas (1–0) (2) u Ohio State (2–0) u Arizona (3–0) u North Carolina (3–0) u Alabama (2–0) u Iowa (2–0) u Oklahoma (1–1) d Washington (2–0) u USC (1–0–1) u Auburn (1–1) d West Virginia (3–0) u Notre Dame (1–1) d Georgia (1–0–1) d Florida (2–0–1) Pittsburgh (2–0) u Michigan (1–1) d SMU (2–0) Boston College (3–0) npr Florida State (2–1) d Maryland Nebraska (4–0) (60) Texas (2–0) Arizona (4–0) u Iowa (3–0) u North Carolina (4–0) Alabama (3–0) West Virginia (4–0) u Ohio State (2–1) d Oklahoma (2–1) d Auburn (2–1) u Georgia (2–0–1) u Florida (3–0–1) u SMU (3–0) u Michigan (2–1) u Miami (FL) (3–1) npr LSU (2–1) npr Florida State (2–1) u Washington (2–1) d Maryland (2–1) npr Arizona State (2–0–1) npr USC Notre Dame Pittsburgh Boston College Nebraska (5–0) (60) Texas (3–0) Alabama (4–0) u North Carolina (5–0) u West Virginia (5–0) u Ohio State (3–1) u Auburn (3–1) u Oklahoma (3–1) u Florida (4–0–1) u Arizona (4–0–1) d Georgia (3–0–1) Miami (FL) (4–1) u SMU (4–0) Michigan (3–1) Iowa (3–1) d Maryland (3–1) т tu Washington (3–1) т u Arizona State (3–0–1) u Illinois (3–1) npr BYU (3–1) npr LSU Florida State Nebraska (6–0) (55) Texas (4–0) (5) North Carolina (6–0) u West Virginia (5–0) u Auburn (4–1) u Ohio State (4–1) Florida (5–0–1) u Georgia (4–0–1) u Arizona (5–0–1) u Miami (FL) (5–1) u Alabama (4–1) d SMU (5–0) u Michigan (4–1) u Iowa (4–1) u Oklahoma (3–2) d Maryland (4–1) Washington (4–1) d Arizona State (3–0–1) Illinois (4–1) BYU (4–1) Nebraska (7–0) (52) Texas (5–0) (6) North Carolina (7–0) West Virginia (6–0) Auburn (5–1) Florida (5–0–1) u Georgia (5–0–1) u Miami (FL) (6–1) u SMU (5–0) u Michigan (5–1) u Illinois (5–1) u Iowa (5–1) u Arizona State (4–0–1) u Washington (5–1) u Maryland (5–1) u Oklahoma (4–2) d Ohio State (4–2) d BYU (5–1) u Arizona (5–1–1) d Alabama (4–2) d Nebraska (8–0) (54) Texas (6–0) (4) North Carolina (7–0) Auburn (6–1) u Florida (6–0–1) u Georgia (6–0–1) u Miami (FL) (7–1) u Michigan (6–1) u Illinois (6–1) u SMU (5–1) d Washington (6–1) u West Virginia (6–1) d Maryland (6–1) u Oklahoma (5–2) u BYU (6–1) u Ohio State (5–2) u Iowa (5–2) d Alabama (4–2) u Boston College (5–1) т tnpr Notre Dame (5–2) т npr Arizona State Arizona Nebraska (9–0) (57) Texas (7–0) (2) Auburn (7–1) u Georgia (7–0–1) u Miami (FL) (8–1) u Illinois (7–1) u Maryland (7–1) u SMU (6–1) u Florida (6–1–1) d North Carolina (7–1) d Oklahoma (6–2) u BYU (7–1) u Michigan (6–2) d Ohio State (6–2) u Iowa (6–2) u Boston College (6–1) u West Virginia (6–2) d Notre Dame (6–2) u Alabama (5–2) d Washington (6–2) d Nebraska (10–0) (58) Texas (8–0) (2) Auburn (8–1) Georgia (8–0–1) Illinois (8–1) Miami (FL) (9–1) d SMU (7–1) d BYU (8–1) u Michigan (7–2) u Ohio State (7–2) u Maryland (7–2) d Iowa (7–2) u Boston College (7–1) u Florida (6–2–1) d West Virginia (7–2) u Alabama (6–2) u Clemson (7–1–1) npr Washington (7–2) u North Carolina (7–2) d Pittsburgh (7–2) npr Oklahoma Notre Dame Nebraska (11–0) (59) Texas (9–0) (1) Auburn (9–1) Illinois (9–1) u Miami (FL) (10–1) u SMU (8–1) u Georgia (8–1–1) d Michigan (8–2) u BYU (9–1) d Ohio State (8–2) Iowa (8–2) u Florida (7–2–1) u Clemson (8–1–1) u West Virginia (8–2) u Washington (8–2) u Alabama (7–2) Pittsburgh (8–2) u Boston College (7–2) d Missouri (7–3) npr Maryland (7–3) d North Carolina Nebraska (11–0) (58) Texas (10–0) (1) Auburn (9–1) Illinois (10–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) SMU (9–1) Georgia (8–1–1) Michigan (9–2) BYU (10–1) Iowa (9–2) u Florida (7–2–1) u Clemson (9–1–1) u Alabama (7–2) u Ohio State (8–3) d Boston College (8–2) u Pittsburgh (8–2–1) u Maryland (8–3) u Air Force (8–2) npr West Virginia (8–3) d East Carolina (8–3) npr Washington Missouri Nebraska (12–0) (52) Texas (11–0) (3) Auburn (9–1) Illinois (10–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) SMU (10–1) Georgia (9–1–1) Michigan (9–2) BYU (10–1) Iowa (9–2) Clemson (9–1–1) u Florida (7–2–1) d Boston College (9–2) u Ohio State (8–3) Pittsburgh (8–2–1) u Maryland (8–3) u Air Force (9–2) u West Virginia (8–3) u Alabama (7–3) d East Carolina (8–3) Nebraska (12–0) (51) Texas (11–0) (3) Auburn (10–1) Illinois (10–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) SMU (10–1) Georgia (9–1–1) Michigan (9–2) BYU (10–1) Iowa (9–2) Florida (8–2–1) u Clemson (9–1–1) d Boston College (9–2) Ohio State (8–3) Pittsburgh (8–2–1) Air Force (9–2) т tu Maryland (8–3) т West Virginia (8–3) East Carolina (8–3) u Oklahoma (8–4) тBaylor (7–3–1) т npr Alabama Miami (FL) (11–1) (47 1 2) nc Nebraska (12–1) (4 1 2) d Auburn (11–1) (7) Georgia (10–1–1) u Texas (11–1) d Florida (9–2–1) u BYU (11–1) u Michigan (9–3) Ohio State (9–3) u Illinois (10–2) d Clemson (9–1–1) u SMU (10–2) d Air Force (10–2) u Iowa (9–3) d Alabama (8–4) npr West Virginia (9–3) u UCLA (7–4–1) npr Pittsburgh (8–3–1) d Boston College (9–3) d East Carolina (8–3) d Maryland Baylor Oklahoma Coaches Poll Clemson, USC, and Arizona were on probation by the NCAA during the 1983 season; they were therefore ineligible to receive votes in the Coaches Poll. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 (Final) Aug 28August 28, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches' Top 20 preseason 1983 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140820829/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch January 2, 2017 Sep 5September 7, 1983 Nebraska is #1 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1767253/ Ukiah Daily Journal (Ukiah, CA) January 7, 2017 Sep 12September 13, 1983 Huskers, Sooners 1–2 in UPI football poll https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1553283/ Salina Journal (Salina, KS) January 7, 2017 Sep 19September 20, 1983 Explosive Nebraska Steady, But UPI's Ratings Shuffle https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/10015503/ Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA) January 7, 2017 Sep 26September 27, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 1983 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1771994/ Ukiah Daily Journal (Ukiah, CA) January 7, 2017 Oct 3October 4, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches' weekly college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140759420/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch January 7, 2017 Oct 10October 11, 1983 UPI: The Board of Coaches Top 20 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/146329292/ The Pittsburgh Press January 7, 2017 Oct 17October 18, 1983 Nebraska Maintains Comfortable Lead https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/13245323/ Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA) January 7, 2017 Oct 24October 25, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 1983 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/9998253/ Logansport Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, IN) January 7, 2017 Oct 31November 1, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches' weekly college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140771808/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch January 7, 2017 Nov 7November 8, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 1983 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/10006426/ Logansport Pharos-Tribune (Logansport, IN) January 7, 2017 Nov 14November 15, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 1983 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/139322868/ The Republic (Columbus, IN) January 7, 2017 Nov 21November 22, 1983 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 1983 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/112379282/ The Tennessean January 7, 2017 Nov 28November 29, 1983 Nebraska Maintains Wide Lead In Ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/13257574/ Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA) January 7, 2017 Dec 5December 7, 1983 UPI Top 20 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99170362/ Detroit Free Press August 12, 2018 Jan 3January 4, 1984 Hurricanes are college champs https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154865949/ The Daily Journal (Franklin, IN) January 2, 2017 Nebraska (18) Texas (7) Auburn (3) Penn State (3) Oklahoma (6) Ohio State Florida State Notre Dame (2) Michigan North Carolina т t LSU т UCLA Georgia (1) Alabama Pittsburgh Washington SMU Arizona State Miami (FL) Maryland тIowa т Nebraska (1–0) (32) Texas (0–0) (2) Auburn (0–0) (1) Oklahoma (0–0) (2) u Michigan (0–0) u Ohio State (0–0) Georgia (1–0) u North Carolina (1–0) u Notre Dame (0–0) d LSU (0–0) Pittsburgh (1–0) u Florida (1–0) npr Florida State (1–0) d Alabama (0–0) West Virginia (1–0) npr SMU (0–0) u Iowa (0–0) u Arizona State (0–0) Penn State (0–1) d Maryland (0–0) Washington Miami (FL) Nebraska (2–0) (36) Oklahoma (1–0) (2) u Texas (0–0) d Auburn (1–0) d Notre Dame (1–0) (1) u Ohio State (1–0) Georgia (1–0) North Carolina (2–0) Florida State (2–0) u Michigan (1–0) d Alabama (1–0) u Iowa (1–0) u Pittsburgh (2–0) u West Virginia (2–0) u Florida (1–0–1) d Washington (1–0) npr SMU (2–0) d Arizona State (1–0) Maryland (1–0) u Boston College (2–0) npr LSU Penn State Nebraska (3–0) (39) Texas (1–0) u Ohio State (2–0) (1) u North Carolina (3–0) u Alabama (2–0) u Iowa (2–0) u Washington (2–0) u West Virginia (3–0) u Pittsburgh (2–0) u Oklahoma (1–1) d Georgia (1–0–1) SMU (2–0) u Florida (2–0–1) u Auburn (1–1) d Boston College (3–0) u Notre Dame (1–1) d Michigan (1–1) d Arkansas (2–0) npr Arizona State (1–0–1) td Michigan State (2–0) npr Florida State Maryland Nebraska (4–0) (40) Texas (2–0) Iowa (3–0) u Alabama (3–0) u North Carolina (4–0) d West Virginia (4–0) u Oklahoma (2–1) u Georgia (2–0–1) u Florida (3–0–1) u Auburn (2–1) u Ohio State (2–1) d SMU (3–0) LSU (2–1) npr Michigan (2–1) u Miami (FL) (3–1) npr Maryland (2–1) npr Arizona State (2–0–1) u Kentucky (4–0) npr Washington (2–1) d Pittsburgh (2–1) d Boston College Notre Dame Arkansas Michigan State Nebraska (5–0) (42) Texas (3–0) Alabama (4–0) u North Carolina (5–0) u West Virginia (5–0) u Florida (4–0–1) u Oklahoma (3–1) u Georgia (3–0–1) u Ohio State (3–1) u Auburn (2–1) Miami (FL) (4–1) u SMU (4–0) u Michigan (3–1) u Iowa (3–1) d Maryland (3–1) u Arizona State (3–0–1) u Illinois (3–1) npr Washington (3–1) u BYU (3–1) npr Oklahoma State (4–0) npr LSU Kentucky Pittsburgh Nebraska (6–0) (38) Texas (4–0) (3) North Carolina (6–0) West Virginia (5–0) Florida (5–0–1) Georgia (4–0–1) Ohio State (4–1) u Auburn (4–1) u SMU (5–0) u Alabama (4–1) u Michigan (4–1) u Miami (FL) (5–1) u Iowa (4–1) u Illinois (4–1) u Maryland (4–1) u Arizona State (3–0–1) Oklahoma (3–2) d Washington (4–1) BYU (4–1) Oklahoma State (4–1) Nebraska (7–0) (38) Texas (5–0) (4) North Carolina (7–0) West Virginia (6–0) Auburn (5–1) u Florida (5–0–1) d Georgia (5–0–1) d SMU (5–0) u Miami (FL) (6–1) u Michigan (5–1) u Illinois (5–1) u Iowa (5–1) u Maryland (5–1) u Arizona State (4–0–1) u Washington (5–1) u BYU (5–1) u Oklahoma (4–2) Ohio State (4–2) d Pittsburgh (4–2) npr Alabama (4–2) т Boston College (5–1) т background-color:#FFE6E6 npr Oklahoma State Nebraska (8–0) (38) Texas (6–0) (4) North Carolina (7–0) Florida (6–0–1) u Auburn (6–1) Georgia (6–0–1) u Miami (FL) (7–1) u Michigan (6–1) u Illinois (6–1) u Maryland (6–1) u Washington (6–1) u SMU (5–1) d West Virginia (6–1) d Oklahoma (5–2) u BYU (6–1) u Ohio State (5–2) u Iowa (5–2) d Boston College (5–1) u Alabama (4–2) u Pittsburgh (5–2) d Arizona State Nebraska (9–0) (38) Texas (7–0) (3) Auburn (7–1) u Georgia (7–0–1) u Miami (FL) (8–1) u Illinois (7–1) u Maryland (7–1) u SMU (6–1) u North Carolina (7–1) d Florida (6–1–1) d Oklahoma (6–2) u BYU (7–1) u Boston College (6–1) u Iowa (6–2) u Ohio State (6–2) u Michigan (6–2) d Alabama (5–2) u Notre Dame (6–2) npr Pittsburgh (6–2) u West Virginia (6–2) d Washington Nebraska (10–0) (38) Texas (8–0) (2) Auburn (8–1) Georgia (8–0–1) Miami (FL) (9–1) Illinois (8–1) SMU (7–1) u Michigan (7–2) u Iowa (7–2) u BYU (8–1) u Ohio State (7–2) u Boston College (7–1) u Florida (6–2–1) d Pittsburgh (7–2) u West Virginia (7–2) u Alabama (6–2) u Maryland (7–2) d North Carolina (7–2) d Tennessee (6–2) npr Washington (7–2) npr Oklahoma Notre Dame Nebraska (11–0) (40) Texas (9–0) (1) Auburn (9–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) u Illinois (9–1) u SMU (8–1) u Georgia (8–1–1) d Michigan (8–2) BYU (9–1) u Ohio State (8–2) u Iowa (8–2) d Florida (7–2–1) u Pittsburgh (8–2) u Washington (7–2) u West Virginia (8–2) Alabama (7–2) Missouri (7–3) npr Baylor (7–2–1) npr Boston College (7–2) d Oklahoma (7–3) npr Maryland North Carolina Tennessee Nebraska (11–0) (39) Texas (10–0) (1) Auburn (9–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) Illinois (10–1) SMU (9–1) Georgia (8–1–1) Michigan (9–2) BYU (10–1) Iowa (9–2) u Florida (7–2–1) u Alabama (7–2) u Ohio State (8–3) d Pittsburgh (8–2–1) d Boston College (8–2) u Oklahoma (7–3) u Maryland (8–3) npr Air Force (8–2) npr Baylor (7–3–1) d Virginia Tech (9–2) npr Washington West Virginia Missouri Nebraska (12–0) (33) Texas (11–0) (2) Auburn (9–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) Illinois (10–1) SMU (10–1) Georgia (9–1–1) Michigan (9–2) BYU (10–1) Iowa (9–2) Florida (8–2–1) Boston College (9–2) u Ohio State (8–3) Pittsburgh (8–2–1) Maryland (8–3) u Air Force (8–2) u Baylor (7–3–1) u Virginia Tech (9–2) u West Virginia (8–3) npr Oklahoma (7–4) d Alabama Nebraska (12–0) (31) Texas (11–0) (3) Auburn (10–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) Illinois (10–1) SMU (10–1) Georgia (9–1–1) Michigan (9–2) BYU (10–1) Iowa (9–2) Florida (8–2–1) Boston College (9–2) Ohio State (8–3) Pittsburgh (8–2–1) Maryland (8–3) Air Force (9–2) Baylor (7–3–1) Virginia Tech (9–2) West Virginia (8–3) Oklahoma (8–4) Miami (FL) (11–1) (30) nc Nebraska (12–1) (6) d Auburn (11–1) (4) Georgia (10–1–1) u Texas (11–1) (1) d Florida (9–2–1) u BYU (11–1) u Ohio State (9–3) u Michigan (9–3) d Illinois (10–2) d SMU (10–2) d Alabama (8–4) u UCLA (7–4–1) npr Iowa (9–3) d Air Force (10–2) u West Virginia (9–3) u Penn State (8–4–1) npr Oklahoma State (8–4) npr Pittsburgh (8–3–1) d Boston College (9–3) d Maryland Baylor Oklahoma References 2 * Category:NCAA Division I FBS football rankings