1983 NCAA Division I-A football rankings explained

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
		Number of first place votes
		Tied with team above or below also with this symbol

AP Poll

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.