1985 NCAA Division I-A football rankings

none August 2023 December 2025 1985 Oklahoma Oklahoma SEC (4) Two human polls comprised the 1985 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 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 (Final) Aughttp://www.databasefootball.com/College/polls/appoll.htm?PollID=570 1985 Preseason A.P. Poll DatabaseFootball.com usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20151130214626/http://www.databasefootball.com/College/polls/appoll.htm?PollID=570 2015-11-30 Sep 3https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1985-polls.html 1985 College Football Polls Sports Reference September 3, 1985 Sep 10 Sep 17 Sep 24 Oct 1https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/128325079/ Hawks grab No. 1 spot in AP poll Des Moines Register October 1, 1985 October 29, 2017 Oct 8https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/128326863/ Hawks still ranked No. 1 despite fragile victory Des Moines Register October 8, 1985 October 29, 2017 Oct 15 Oct 22 Oct 29 Nov 5 Nov 12 Nov 19 Nov 26 Dec 3 Dec 10 Jan 2 Oklahoma (23) Auburn (13) SMU (3) Iowa (7) Florida (4) USC (2) Maryland (3) Ohio State Nebraska BYU (1) Illinois (2) Washington (2) LSU Notre Dame Arkansas Oklahoma State South Carolina Penn State Florida State UCLA Oklahoma (0–0) Auburn (0–0) SMU (0–0) Iowa (0–0) Florida (0–0) USC (0–0) Maryland (0–0) BYU (1–0) u Ohio State (0–0) d Nebraska (0–0) d Illinois (0–0) Washington (0–0) LSU (0–0) Notre Dame (0–0) Arkansas (0–0) Oklahoma State (0–0) Florida State (1–0) u South Carolina (1–0) d Penn State (0–0) d UCLA (0–0) Auburn (1–0) (16) u Oklahoma (0–0) (28) d Florida (1–0) (3) u USC (1–0) (6) u Iowa (0–0) (5) d SMU (1–0) (2) d Florida State (2–0) u Oklahoma State (1–0) u Ohio State (0–0) UCLA (1–0) u Penn State (1–0) u LSU (0–0) u Notre Dame (0–0) u Arkansas (0–0) u South Carolina (2–0) u BYU (1–1) d Maryland (0–1) d Nebraska (0–1) d Illinois (0–1) d Alabama (1–0) npr Washington Auburn (2–0) (23) Oklahoma (0–0) (23) USC (1–0) (6) u Iowa (1–0) (5) u SMU (1–0) (3) u Florida State (2–0) u Ohio State (1–0) u Oklahoma State (2–0) LSU (1–0) u Penn State (2–0) u Florida (1–0–1) d UCLA (1–0–1) d BYU (2–1) u Arkansas (1–0) South Carolina (2–0) Alabama (2–0) u Maryland (1–1) Nebraska (0–1) Michigan (1–0) npr Illinois (1–1) d Notre Dame Auburn (2–0) (26) Oklahoma (0–0) (21) Iowa (2–0) (5) u Florida State (3–0) u Ohio State (2–0) u SMU (1–0) d Oklahoma State (2–0) u LSU (2–0) u Penn State (3–0) u Arkansas (2–0) u Florida (1–0–1) Michigan (2–0) u UCLA (2–0–1) d BYU (3–1) d Alabama (3–0) u Nebraska (1–1) u Maryland (2–1) USC (1–1) d Air Force (3–0) npr Virginia (2–0) npr South Carolina Illinois Iowa (3–0) (35) u Oklahoma (1–0) (13) SMU (2–0) (6) u Florida State (4–0) (1) Ohio State (3–0) Oklahoma State (3–0) (1) u Michigan (3–0) (3) u LSU (2–0) Penn State (4–0) Arkansas (3–0) Florida (2–0–1) Alabama (4–0) u Nebraska (2–1) u Auburn (2–1) d BYU (3–1) d Tennessee (1–0–1) npr Air Force (4–0) u Georgia (3–1) npr Baylor (3–1) npr Texas (2–0) npr UCLA Maryland USC Virginia Iowa (4–0) (34) Oklahoma (2–0) Michigan (4–0) u Florida State (4–0) Oklahoma State (4–0) u Arkansas (4–0) u Florida (3–0–1) u Penn State (4–0) u Nebraska (3–1) u Alabama (4–0) u BYU (4–1) u Auburn (3–1) u Air Force (5–0) u Tennessee (2–0–1) u Ohio State (3–1) d SMU (2–1) d Texas (3–0) u Georgia (3–1) Baylor (4–1) LSU (2–1) d Iowa (5–0) (27) Michigan (5–0) (20) u Oklahoma (3–0) (12) d Arkansas (5–0) u Florida (4–0–1) u Penn State (5–0) (1) u Nebraska (4–1) u Auburn (4–1) u BYU (5–1) u Air Force (6–0) u Ohio State (4–1) u Oklahoma State (4–1) d Florida State (4–1) d Baylor (5–1) u Alabama (4–1) d Georgia (4–1) u LSU (3–1) u UCLA (4–1–1) npr Army (5–0) npr Tennessee (2–1–1) d SMU Texas Iowa (6–0) (60) Florida (5–0–1) u Penn State (6–0) u Michigan (5–1) d Nebraska (5–1) u Auburn (5–1) u BYU (6–1) u Air Force (7–0) u Ohio State (5–1) u Oklahoma (3–1) d Florida State (5–1) u Oklahoma State (4–1) Baylor (6–1) u Arkansas (5–1) d Miami (FL) (5–1) npr Tennessee (3–1–1) u UCLA (5–1–1) u LSU (4–1) d Texas (4–1) npr Minnesota (5–1) npr Alabama Georgia Army Iowa (7–0) (58) Florida (6–0–1) Penn State (7–0) Michigan (6–1) Nebraska (6–1) Auburn (6–1) Air Force (8–0) u Ohio State (6–1) u Oklahoma (4–1) u Florida State (6–1) u Miami (FL) (6–1) u Oklahoma State (5–1) Baylor (7–1) Arkansas (6–1) UCLA (6–1–1) u LSU (4–1) u BYU (6–2) d Georgia (5–1–1) npr Tennessee (3–1–2) d SMU (4–2) npr Texas Minnesota Florida (7–0–1) (42) u Penn State (8–0) (15) u Nebraska (7–1) u Ohio State (7–1) (1) u Air Force (9–0) u Iowa (7–1) d Oklahoma (5–1) (1) u Miami (FL) (7–1) u Michigan (6–1–1) d Oklahoma State (6–1) u Baylor (7–1) u Arkansas (7–1) u Auburn (6–2) d UCLA (6–1–1) u LSU (5–1) u Florida State (6–2) d Georgia (6–1–1) u BYU (7–2) d Tennessee (4–1–2) Alabama (6–2) npr SMU Penn State (9–0) u Nebraska (8–1) u Ohio State (8–1) u Air Force (10–0) u Iowa (7–1) u Miami (FL) (7–1) u Oklahoma (6–1) Michigan (7–1–1) u Arkansas (8–1) u Oklahoma State (7–1) UCLA (7–1–1) u Georgia (7–1–1) u Florida (7–1–1) d Auburn (7–2) d BYU (8–2) u Florida State (7–2) Baylor (7–2) d Tennessee (5–1–2) u LSU (5–1–1) d Alabama (6–2–1) Penn State (10–0) (46) Nebraska (9–1) (12) Iowa (9–1) u Miami (FL) (8–1) u Oklahoma (7–1) (2) u Michigan (8–1–1) u Oklahoma State (8–1) u UCLA (8–1–1) u Florida (8–1–1) u Auburn (8–2) u BYU (9–2) u Ohio State (8–2) d Air Force (10–1) d Florida State (8–2) u Baylor (8–2) u Tennessee (6–1–2) u LSU (6–1–1) u Arkansas (8–2) d Texas A&M (7–2) npr Georgia (7–2–1) d Alabama Penn State (11–0) (49) Iowa (10–1) (3) u Oklahoma (8–1) (6) u Miami (FL) (9–1) (1) Michigan (9–1–1) (1) u Florida (8–1–1) u Auburn (8–2) u Nebraska (9–2) d BYU (10–2) u Tennessee (7–1–2) u Air Force (11–1) u Florida State (8–2) u LSU (7–1–1) u Arkansas (9–2) u Texas A&M (8–2) u UCLA (8–2–1) d Oklahoma State (8–2) d Texas (8–2) npr Ohio State (8–3) d Georgia (7–2–1) Baylor Penn State (11–0) (47) Miami (FL) (10–1) (3) u Iowa (10–1) (3) d Oklahoma (9–1) (5) d Michigan (9–1–1) (1) Florida (9–1–1) Nebraska (9–2) u Tennessee (8–1–2) u BYU (10–2) Air Force (11–1) u Texas A&M (9–2) u LSU (8–1–1) u Arkansas (9–2) u UCLA (8–2–1) u Alabama (8–2–1) npr Auburn (8–3) d Ohio State (8–3) u Florida State (8–3) d Oklahoma State (8–3) d Bowling Green (11–0) npr Texas Georgia Penn State (11–0) (47) Miami (FL) (10–1) (3) Oklahoma (10–1) (5) u Iowa (10–1) (3) d Michigan (9–1–1) (1) Florida (9–1–1) Nebraska (9–2) Tennessee (8–1–2) BYU (11–2) Air Force (11–1) Texas A&M (9–2) LSU (8–1–1) UCLA (8–2–1) u Arkansas (9–2) d Alabama (8–2–1) Auburn (8–3) Ohio State (8–3) Florida State (8–3) Oklahoma State (8–3) Maryland (8–3) т Bowling Green (11–0) т background-color:#FFFFE6 Oklahoma (11–1) (55) nc Michigan (10–1–1) (1) u Penn State (11–1) d Tennessee (9–1–2) (1) u Florida (9–1–1) u Texas A&M (10–2) u UCLA (9–2–1) u Air Force (12–1) u Miami (FL) (10–2) d Iowa (10–2) d Nebraska (9–3) d Arkansas (10–2) u Alabama (9–2–1) u Ohio State (9–3) u Florida State (9–3) u BYU (11–3) d Baylor (9–3) npr Maryland (9–3) u Georgia Tech (9–2–1) npr LSU (9–2–1) d Auburn Oklahoma State Bowling Green Coaches Poll 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 (Final) AugAugust 25, 1985 UPI Coaches Top 20 The United Press International Board of Coaches preseason Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/121752871/ Arizona Republic December 18, 2016 Sep 3 Sep 10September 10, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140899410/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch December 18, 2016 Sep 17September 17, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159547720/ Daily Reporter December 18, 2016 Sep 24September 24, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/13448797/ Tyrone Daily Herald December 18, 2016 Oct 1October 1, 1985 Iowa ranked #1 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/126829195/ Daily Chronicle December 18, 2016 Oct 8October 8, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140991406/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch December 18, 2016 Oct 15October 15, 1985 Iowa hangs onto top grid rating https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/4721486/ Ukiah Daily Journal December 18, 2016 Oct 22October 22, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140991793/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch December 18, 2016 Oct 29October 29, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/4727375/ Ukiah Daily Journal December 18, 2016 Nov 5November 5, 1985 Unimpressive Penn State #1 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/4715926/ Ukiah Daily Journal December 18, 2016 Nov 12November 12, 1985 Top 7 Spots Unchanged in UPI's Football Poll https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/13296472/ Tyrone Daily Herald December 18, 2016 Nov 19November 19, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99093568/ Detroit Free Press December 18, 2016 Nov 26November 26, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/13843305/ Logansport Pharos-Tribune December 18, 2016 Dec 3December 3, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/9988206/ Tyrone Daily Herald December 18, 2016 Dec 10December 10, 1985 The United Press International Board of Coaches Top 20 college football ratings https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/126842116/ Daily Chronicle December 18, 2016 Jan 2January 3, 1986 UPI COACHES' TOP 20 https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/106171561/ Indianapolis Star December 18, 2016 Oklahoma (14) Auburn (8) Ohio State Nebraska USC (2) Washington (5) BYU (9) Iowa (1) Maryland (1) Illinois LSU Notre Dame Florida State (1) Oklahoma State UCLA Arkansas Penn State South Carolina Georgia Boston College Oklahoma (0–0) (14) Auburn (0–0) (8) Ohio State (0–0) Nebraska (0–0) USC (0–0) (2) Washington (0–0) (5) BYU (1–0) (9) Iowa (0–0) (1) Maryland (0–0) (1) Illinois (0–0) LSU (0–0) Notre Dame (0–0) Florida State (1–0) (1) Oklahoma State (0–0) UCLA (0–0) Arkansas (0–0) Penn State (0–0) South Carolina (1–0) Georgia (0–0) Boston College (0–1) Oklahoma (0–0) (18) Auburn (1–0) (16) USC (1–0) (5) u Ohio State (0–0) (1) d Florida State (2–0) (1) u Oklahoma State (1–0) (1) u Iowa (0–0) u UCLA (1–0) u Penn State (1–0) u LSU (0–0) u South Carolina (2–0) т tu Notre Dame (0–0) т BYU (1–1) d Nebraska (0–1) d Arkansas (0–0) u Alabama (1–0) npr West Virginia (1–0) npr Maryland (0–1) d Pittsburgh (1–0) npr Texas (0–0) npr Washington Illinois Georgia Boston College Auburn (2–0) u Oklahoma (0–0) d USC (1–0) Iowa (1–0) u Ohio State (1–0) d Florida State (2–0) (1) d Oklahoma State (1–0) (1) d Penn State (2–0) u LSU (1–0) u BYU (2–1) u South Carolina (2–0) Alabama (2–0) u UCLA (1–0–1) d Arkansas (1–0) u Michigan (1–0) npr Maryland (1–1) u Nebraska (0–1) d West Virginia (2–0) d Arizona (2–0) npr Texas (0–0) Notre Dame Pittsburgh Auburn (2–0) (32) Oklahoma (0–0) (8) Iowa (2–0) u Ohio State (2–0) u Florida State (3–0) u Penn State (3–0) u Oklahoma State (2–0) LSU (2–0) u Michigan (2–0) u Alabama (3–0) u UCLA (2–0–1) u BYU (3–1) d Arkansas (2–0) u Nebraska (1–1) u Maryland (2–1) u USC (1–1) d Virginia (2–0) npr Air Force (3–0) npr Texas (1–0) u Kansas (3–0) npr South Carolina West Virginia Arizona Iowa (3–0) (19) u Oklahoma (1–0) (14) Ohio State (3–0) (1) u Florida State (4–0) (1) u Michigan (3–0) (5) u Oklahoma State (3–0) u Penn State (4–0) d Alabama (4–0) u LSU (2–0) d Nebraska (2–1) u Arkansas (3–0) u BYU (3–1) Auburn (2–1) d Tennessee (1–0–1) npr Air Force (4–0) u Texas (2–0) u UCLA (2–1–1) d Georgia (3–1) npr Baylor (3–1) npr Indiana (3–0) npr Maryland USC Virginia Kansas Iowa (4–0) (16) Oklahoma (2–0) (14) Michigan (4–0) (10) u Florida State (4–0) Oklahoma State (4–0) (1) u Penn State (4–0) u Arkansas (4–0) u Alabama (4–0) Nebraska (3–1) u BYU (4–1) u Auburn (3–1) u Air Force (5–0) u Tennessee (2–0–1) u Texas (3–0) u Ohio State (3–1) d UCLA (3–1–1) u Georgia (3–1) u Baylor (4–1) u LSU (2–1) d Indiana (4–0) Iowa (5–0) (16) Oklahoma (3–0) (14) Michigan (5–0) (11) Penn State (5–0) u Arkansas (5–0) u Nebraska (4–1) u Auburn (4–1) u BYU (5–1) u Air Force (6–0) u Ohio State (4–1) u Florida State (4–1) d Oklahoma State (4–1) d Baylor (5–1) u Alabama (4–1) т td Georgia (4–1) т u UCLA (4–1–1) LSU (3–1) u Texas (3–1) d Tennessee (2–1–1) d Army (5–0) тArizona (4–1) т npr Indiana Iowa (6–0) (42) Penn State (6–0) u Nebraska (5–1) u Michigan (5–1) d Auburn (5–1) u Air Force (7–0) u BYU (6–1) u Ohio State (5–1) u Florida State (5–1) u Oklahoma (3–1) d Baylor (6–1) u Oklahoma State (4–1) Arkansas (5–1) d Miami (FL) (5–1) npr UCLA (5–1–1) u Tennessee (3–1–1) u Texas (4–1) u LSU (4–1) d Arizona (5–1) u Minnesota (5–1) npr Alabama Georgia Army Iowa (7–0) (42) Penn State (7–0) Nebraska (6–1) Michigan (6–1) Auburn (6–1) Air Force (8–0) Ohio State (6–1) u Oklahoma (4–1) u Florida State (6–1) Baylor (7–1) u Arkansas (6–1) u Miami (FL) (6–1) u Oklahoma State (5–1) d UCLA (6–1–1) u LSU (4–1) u BYU (6–2) d Georgia (5–1–1) npr Tennessee (3–1–2) d Texas A&M (5–2) npr Alabama (5–2) npr Texas Arizona Minnesota Penn State (8–0) (34) u Nebraska (7–1) (5) u Ohio State (7–1) (1) u Air Force (9–0) (2) u Oklahoma (5–1) u Iowa (7–1) d Miami (FL) (7–1) u Baylor (7–1) u Michigan (6–1–1) d Arkansas (7–1) u Oklahoma State (6–1) u UCLA (7–1–1) u LSU (5–1) u Auburn (6–2) d Georgia (6–1–1) u Florida State (6–2) d Tennessee (4–1–2) u BYU (7–2) d Texas A&M (6–2) Alabama (6–2) Penn State (9–0) (34) Nebraska (8–1) (4) Ohio State (8–1) Air Force (10–0) (3) Iowa (8–1) u Oklahoma (6–1) d Miami (FL) (8–1) Michigan (7–1–1) u Arkansas (8–1) u Oklahoma State (7–1) u UCLA (7–1–1) u Georgia (7–1–1) u Auburn (7–2) u Florida State (7–2) u BYU (8–2) u Baylor (7–2) d Tennessee (5–1–2) LSU (5–1–1) d Texas A&M (6–2) Texas (6–2) npr Alabama Penn State (10–0) (41) Nebraska (9–1) (1) Oklahoma (7–1) u Iowa (9–1) u Miami (FL) (8–1) u Michigan (8–1–1) u Oklahoma State (8–1) u UCLA (8–1–1) u Auburn (8–2) u Air Force (10–1) d Ohio State (8–2) d Florida State (8–2) u BYU (9–2) u Baylor (8–2) u Tennessee (6–1–2) u Arkansas (8–2) d LSU (6–1–1) u Texas A&M (7–2) u Texas (7–2) u Arizona State (8–2) npr Georgia Penn State (11–0) (39) Oklahoma (8–1) (2) u Iowa (10–1) u Miami (FL) (9–1) u Michigan (9–1–1) u Auburn (8–2) u Air Force (11–1) u Nebraska (9–2) d Tennessee (7–1–2) u BYU (10–2) u Florida State (8–2) u LSU (7–1–1) u Arkansas (9–2) u Texas A&M (7–2) u UCLA (8–2–1) d Texas (8–2) u Oklahoma State (8–2) d Ohio State (8–3) d Fresno State (10–0–1) npr Georgia (7–2–1) npr Baylor Arizona State Penn State (11–0) (37) Oklahoma (9–1) (2) Iowa (10–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) Michigan (9–1–1) Nebraska (9–2) u Tennessee (8–1–2) u Air Force (11–1) d BYU (10–2) u LSU (8–1–1) u Texas A&M (9–2) u Arkansas (9–2) u UCLA (8–2–1) u Alabama (8–2–1) npr Auburn (8–3) d Ohio State (8–3) u Florida State (8–3) d Fresno State (10–0–1) u Maryland (8–3) npr Arizona (8–3) npr Texas Oklahoma State Georgia Penn State (11–0) (36) Oklahoma (10–1) (1) Iowa (10–1) Miami (FL) (10–1) Michigan (9–1–1) Nebraska (9–2) Air Force (11–1) u Tennessee (8–1–2) d BYU (11–2) LSU (9–1–1) Texas A&M (9–2) Arkansas (9–2) UCLA (8–2–1) Alabama (8–2–1) Auburn (8–3) Florida State (8–3) u Ohio State (8–3) d Fresno State (10–0–1) Oklahoma State (8–3) npr Arizona (8–3) Maryland Oklahoma (11–1) (41) nc Michigan (10–1–1) u Penn State (11–1) d Tennessee (9–1–2) u Air Force (12–1) u UCLA (9–2–1) u Texas A&M (10–2) u Miami (FL) (10–2) d Iowa (10–2) d Nebraska (9–3) d Ohio State (9–3) u Arkansas (10–2) u Florida State (9–3) u Alabama (9–2–1) Baylor (9–3) npr Fresno State (11–0–1) (1) u BYU (11–3) d Georgia Tech (9–2–1) npr Maryland (9–3) npr LSU (9–2–1) d Auburn Oklahoma State Arizona USA/CNN Poll 16 Final Jan 2 Oklahoma (11–1) (32) nc Penn State (11–1) d Michigan (10–1–1) u Tennessee (9–1–2) u Florida (9–1–1) u Miami (FL) (10–2) d Air Force (12–1) u Texas A&M (10–2) u UCLA (9–2–1) u Iowa (10–2) d Nebraska (9–3) d Alabama (9–2–1) Ohio State (9–3) u Florida State (9–3) u Arkansas (10–2) u BYU (11–3) d Maryland (9–3) u Georgia Tech (9–2–1) u Baylor (9–3) npr Auburn (8–4) d LSU (9–2–1) d Army (9–3) npr Fresno State (11–0–1) npr Georgia (7–3–2) d Oklahoma State (8–4) d References 2 * Category:NCAA Division I FBS football rankings