| Season: | 2006 |
| Preseason Number 1: | Ohio State |
| Champions: | Florida |
| Conference: | SEC (6) |
Three human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. About halfway through the season, two additional polls are released, the Harris Interactive Poll and the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) standings. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS standings. At the end of the season, the BCS standings determine who plays in the BCS bowl games as well as the BCS National Championship Game.
| Increase in ranking | |||
| Decrease in ranking | |||
| Not ranked previous week | |||
| Selected for BCS National Championship Game | |||
| Win–loss record | |||
| Number of first place votes | |||
| Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
| Preseason | Week 1 Sept 5 | Week 2 Sept 10 | Week 3 Sept 17 | Week 4 Sept 24 | Week 5 Oct 1 | Week 6 Oct 8 | Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 Dec 3 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ohio State (35) | Ohio State (1–0) (39) | Ohio State (2–0) (59) | Ohio State (3–0) (59) | Ohio State (4–0) (59) | Ohio State (5–0) (62) | Ohio State (6–0) (63) | Ohio State (7–0) (63) | Ohio State (8–0) (63) | Ohio State (9–0) (63) | Ohio State (10–0) (65) | Ohio State (11–0) (64) | Ohio State (12–0) (65) | Ohio State (12–0) (65) | Ohio State (12–0) (65) | Florida (13–1) (64) | 1. | |
| 2. | Notre Dame (10) | Texas (1–0) (7) | Notre Dame (2–0) (3) | Auburn (3–0) (2) | Auburn (4–0) (2) | Auburn (5–0) (1) | Florida (6–0) | Michigan (7–0) | Michigan (8–0) | Michigan (9–0) | Michigan (10–0) | Michigan (11–0) (1) | Michigan (11–1) | USC (10–1) | Florida (12–1) | Ohio State (12–1) | 2. | |
| 3. | Texas (8) | USC (1–0) (3) | Auburn (2–0) (2) | USC (2–0) (2) | USC (3–0) (2) | USC (4–0) | USC (5–0) | USC (6–0) | USC (6–0) | West Virginia (7–0) (2) | Louisville (8–0) | Florida (9–1) | USC (9–1) | Michigan (11–1) | Michigan (11–1) | LSU (11–2) | 3. | |
| 4. | Auburn (3) | Auburn (1–0) (3) т | USC (1–0) (2) | West Virginia (3–0) (2) | West Virginia (4–0) (2) | West Virginia (5–0) (2) | Michigan (6–0) | West Virginia (6–0) (2) | West Virginia (7–0) (2) | Texas (8–1) | Texas (9–1) | USC (8–1) | Florida (10–1) | Florida (11–1) | LSU (10–2) | USC (11–2) | 4. | |
| 5. | West Virginia (6) | Notre Dame (1–0) (8) т | West Virginia (2–0) (2) | Florida (3–0) | Florida (4–0) | Florida (5–0) | West Virginia (5–0) (2) | Texas (6–1) | Texas (7–1) | Louisville (7–0) | Auburn (9–1) | Arkansas (9–1) | Arkansas (10–1) | LSU (10–2) | Louisville (11–1) | Boise State (13–0) (1) | 5. | |
| 6. | USC (3) | West Virginia (1–0) (5) | LSU (2–0) | Michigan (3–0) | Michigan (4–0) | Michigan (5–0) | Texas (5–1) | Louisville (6–0) | Louisville (7–0) | Auburn (8–1) | Florida (8–1) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Notre Dame (10–1) | Louisville (10–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Louisville (12–1) | 6. | |
| 7. | Florida | Florida (1–0) | Florida (2–0) | Texas (2–1) | Texas (3–1) | Texas (4–1) | Louisville (5–0) | Tennessee (5–1) | Auburn (7–1) | Florida (7–1) | USC (7–1) | Rutgers (9–0) | West Virginia (9–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Oklahoma (11–2) | Wisconsin (12–1) | 7. | |
| 8. | LSU | LSU (1–0) | Texas (1–1) | Louisville (3–0) | Louisville (4–0) | Louisville (4–0) | Tennessee (5–1) | Auburn (6–1) | Tennessee (6–1) | Tennessee (7–1) | California (8–1) | West Virginia (8–1) | Louisville (9–1) | Arkansas (10–2) т | USC (10–2) | Michigan (11–2) | 8. | |
| 9. | California | Florida State (1–0) | Florida State (2–0) | Georgia (3–0) | LSU (3–1) | LSU (4–1) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Florida (6–1) | Florida (6–1) | USC (6–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | LSU (8–2) | LSU (9–2) | Oklahoma (10–2) т | Boise State (12–0) | Auburn (11–2) | 9. | |
| 10. | Oklahoma | Michigan (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | LSU (2–1) | Georgia (4–0) | Georgia (5–0) | California (5–1) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Clemson (7–1) | California (7–1) | West Virginia (7–1) | Louisville (8–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Boise State (12–0) | Auburn (10–2) | West Virginia (11–2) | 10. | |
| 11. | Florida State | Tennessee (1–0) | Michigan (2–0) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Auburn (5–1) | California (6–1) | Notre Dame (6–1) | Notre Dame (7–1) | Arkansas (8–1) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (9–2) | Auburn (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–3) | 11. | |
| 12. | Miami (FL) | Georgia (1–0) | Louisville (2–0) | Notre Dame (2–1) | Notre Dame (3–1) | Notre Dame (4–1) | Clemson (5–1) | Clemson (6–1) | California (7–1) | Arkansas (7–1) | LSU (7–2) | Wisconsin (10–1) | Boise State (11–0) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Arkansas (10–3) | Rutgers (11–2) | 12. | |
| 13. | Louisville | Louisville (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Oregon (3–0) | Iowa (4–0) | Tennessee (4–1) | Georgia Tech (5–1) | Georgia Tech (5–1) | Arkansas (6–1) | LSU (6–2) | Tennessee (7–2) | Boise State (10–0) | Oklahoma (9–2) | Rutgers (10–1) | West Virginia (10–2) | Texas (10–3) | 13. | |
| 14. | Michigan | Iowa (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Iowa (3–0) | Oregon (3–0) | Oklahoma (3–1) | LSU (4–2) | LSU (5–2) | LSU (6–2) | Boise State (8–0) | Boise State (9–0) | Wake Forest (9–1) | Auburn (10–2) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | California (10–3) | 14. | |
| 15. | Georgia | Oklahoma (1–0) | Oklahoma (2–0) | Tennessee (2–1) | Tennessee (3–1) | Clemson (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Arkansas (5–1) | Boise State (8–0) | Rutgers (8–0) | Rutgers (8–0) | Auburn (9–2) | Rutgers (9–1) | West Virginia (9–2) | Wake Forest (11–2) | Arkansas (10–4) | 15. | |
| 16. | Iowa | Virginia Tech (1–0) | Iowa (2–0) | TCU (3–0) | Oklahoma (3–1) | California (4–1) | Georgia (5–1) | Oregon (5–1) | Rutgers (7–0) | Boston College (7–1) | Wisconsin (9–1) | Oklahoma (8–2) | Georgia Tech (9–2) | Wake Forest (10–2) | Rutgers (10–2) | BYU (11–2) | 16. | |
| 17. | Virginia Tech | Miami (FL) (0–1) | Miami (FL) (1–1) | Oklahoma (2–1) | TCU (3–0) | Florida State (3–1) | Arkansas (4–1) | Nebraska (6–1) | Wisconsin (7–1) | Wisconsin (8–1) | Oklahoma (7–2) | California (8–2) | Virginia Tech (9–2) | Tennessee (9–3) т | Tennessee (9–3) | Notre Dame (10–3) | 17. | |
| 18. | Clemson | Clemson (1–0) | Oregon (2–0) | Florida State (2–1) | Clemson (3–1) | Georgia Tech (4–1) | Oregon (5–1) | Boise State (6–0) | Boston College (6–1) | Oklahoma (6–2) | Wake Forest (8–1) | Georgia Tech (8–2) | Boston College (9–2) | Texas (9–3) т | Texas (9–3) | Wake Forest (11–3) | 18. | |
| 19. | Penn State | Penn State (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Clemson (2–1) | Florida State (3–1) | Iowa (4–1) | Missouri (6–0) | Rutgers (6–0) | Oklahoma (5–2) | Clemson (7–2) | Georgia Tech (7–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Tennessee (8–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | BYU (10–2) | Virginia Tech (10–3) | 19. | |
| 20. | Nebraska | Oregon (1–0) | TCU (2–0) | Boston College (3–0) | California (3–1) | Boise State (5–0) | Boise State (6–0) | Oklahoma (4–2) | Nebraska (6–2) | Georgia Tech (6–2) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Boston College (8–2) | Wake Forest (9–2) | BYU (10–2) | California (9–3) | Boston College (10–3) | 20. | |
| 21. | Oregon | Nebraska (1–0) | California (1–1) | California (2–1) | Nebraska (3–1) | Virginia Tech (4–1) | Nebraska (5–1) | Wisconsin (6–1) | Georgia Tech (5–2) | Texas A&M (8–1) | Oregon (7–2) | Maryland (8–2) | BYU (9–2) | California (8–3) | Texas A&M (9–3) | Oregon State (10–4) | 21. | |
| 22. | TCU | California (0–1) | Arizona State (2–0) | Arizona State (3–0) | Boise State (4–0) | Nebraska (4–1) | Virginia Tech (4–1) | Boston College (5–1) | Texas A&M (7–1) | Wake Forest (7–1) | Boston College (7–2) | Tennessee (7–3) | California (8–3) | Texas A&M (9–3) | Nebraska (9–4) | TCU (11–2) | 22. | |
| 23. | Tennessee | TCU (1–0) | Boston College (2–0) | Nebraska (2–1) | Rutgers (4–0) | Missouri (5–0) | Oklahoma (3–2) | Texas A&M (6–1) | Missouri (7–1) | Virginia Tech (6–2) | Maryland (7–2) | BYU (8–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | Georgia Tech (9–3) | Boston College (9–3) | Georgia (9–4) | 23. | |
| 24. | Arizona State | Texas Tech (1–0) | Texas Tech (2–0) | Penn State (2–1) | Georgia Tech (3–1) | Rutgers (5–0) | Rutgers (5–0) | Missouri (6–1) | Wake Forest (6–1) | Oregon (6–2) | Texas A&M (8–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | Clemson (8–3) | Hawaiʻi (10–2) | Oregon State (9–4) | Penn State (9–4) | 24. | |
| 25. | Texas Tech | Arizona State (1–0) | Penn State (1–1) | Boise State (3–0) | Missouri (4–0) | Boston College (4–1) | Wisconsin (5–1) | Wake Forest (6–1) | Oregon (5–2) | Washington State (6–3) | BYU (7–2) | Clemson (8–3) | Hawaiʻi (9–2) | Boston College (9–3) | TCU (10–2) | Tennessee (9–4) | 25. | |
| Preseason | Week 1 Sept 5 | Week 2 Sept 10 | Week 3 Sept 17 | Week 4 Sept 24 | Week 5 Oct 1 | Week 6 Oct 8 | Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 Dec 3 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 9 | |||
| Dropped: None | Dropped: Clemson | Dropped: Miami (FL) Texas Tech | Dropped: Boston College Arizona State Penn State | Dropped: TCU | Dropped: Florida State Boston College | Dropped: Iowa Georgia Virginia Tech | Dropped: None | Dropped: Nebraska Missouri | Dropped: Clemson Washington State | Dropped: Oregon Texas A&M | Dropped: Maryland | Dropped: Clemson | Dropped: Georgia Tech Hawaiʻi | Dropped: Texas A&M<br />Nebraska |
Jim Tressel, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, refused to vote in the Week 15 poll, citing a conflict of interest. In a change to the Coaches Poll for the 2006 season, the final ballots are made public. Tressel did not want his vote of picking Florida or Michigan to play against his team to be known publicly and therefore refused to vote and was an unprecedented move in that no Coaches Poll voter has ever refused to vote.[1]
| Preseason | Week 1 Sept 5 | Week 2 Sept 10 | Week 3 Sept 17 | Week 4 Sept 24 | Week 5 Oct 1 | Week 6 Oct 8 | Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 Dec 3 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ohio State (28) | Ohio State (1–0) (41) | Ohio State (2–0) (59) | Ohio State (3–0) (60) | Ohio State (4–0) (59) | Ohio State (5–0) (62) | Ohio State (6–0) (62) | Ohio State (7–0) (63) | Ohio State (8–0) (63) | Ohio State (9–0) (63) | Ohio State (10–0) (63) | Ohio State (11–0) (62) | Ohio State (12–0) (63) | Ohio State (12–0) (63) | Ohio State (12–0) (62) | Florida (13–1) (63) | 1. | |
| 2. | Texas (11) | Texas (1–0) (14) | USC (2–0) (2) | USC (3–0) (2) | USC (3–0) (2) | USC (4–0) | USC (5–0) | USC (6–0) | USC (6–0) | Michigan (9–0) | Michigan (10–0) | Michigan (11–0) (1) | USC (9–1) | USC (10–1) | Florida (12–1) | Ohio State (12–1) | 2. | |
| 3. | Notre Dame (9) т | USC (1–0) (4) | Notre Dame (2–0) (1) | Auburn (3–0) (1) | Auburn (4–0) (2) | Auburn (5–0) (1) | Florida (6–0) (1) | Michigan (7–0) | Michigan (8–0) | West Virginia (7–0) | Texas (9–1) | Florida (9–1) | Michigan (11–1) | Michigan (11–1) | Michigan (11–1) | LSU (11–2) | 3. | |
| 4. | USC (1) т | Auburn (1–0) (2) | Auburn (2–0) (1) | West Virginia (3–0) | West Virginia (4–0) | West Virginia (4–0) | West Virginia (5–0) | West Virginia (6–0) | West Virginia (7–0) | Texas (8–1) | Louisville (8–0) | USC (8–1) | Florida (10–1) | Florida (11–1) | LSU (10–2) | USC (11–2) | 4. | |
| 5. | Oklahoma (13) | Notre Dame (1–0) (2) т | West Virginia (2–0) | Florida (3–0) | Florida (4–0) | Florida (5–0) | Michigan (6–0) | Texas (6–1) | Texas (7–1) | Louisville (7–0) | Auburn (9–1) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Arkansas (10–1) | LSU (10–2) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Wisconsin (12–1) | 5. | |
| 6. | Auburn (1) | West Virginia (1–0) т | Florida (2–0) | Michigan (3–0) | Michigan (4–0) | Michigan (5–0) | Texas (5–1) | Louisville (6–0) | Louisville (7–0) | Auburn (8–1) | Florida (8–1) | Arkansas (9–1) | Notre Dame (10–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Louisville (11–1) | Boise State (13–0) | 6. | |
| 7. | West Virginia | Florida (1–0) | LSU (2–0) | Georgia (3–0) | Texas (3–1) | Texas (4–1) | Louisville (5–0) | Auburn (6–1) | Auburn (7–1) | Florida (7–1) | USC (7–1) | West Virginia (8–1) | West Virginia (9–1) | Louisville (10–1) | USC (10–2) | Louisville (12–1) | 7. | |
| 8. | Florida | LSU (1–0) | Texas (1–1) | Texas (2–1) | Louisville (4–0) | Louisville (4–0) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Florida (6–1) | Tennessee (7–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | Rutgers (9–0) | LSU (9–2) | Arkansas (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–2) | Auburn (11–2) | 8. | |
| 9. | LSU | Florida State (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Louisville (3–0) | Georgia (4–0) | Georgia (5–0) | Tennessee (5–1) | Tennessee (5–1) | Tennessee (6–1) | USC (6–1) | California (8–1) | LSU (8–2) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Boise State (12–0) | Boise State (12–0) | Michigan (11–2) | 9. | |
| 10. | Florida State | Oklahoma (1–0) | Florida State (2–0) | Virginia Tech (3–0) | Virginia Tech (4–0) т | LSU (4–1) | Auburn (5–1) | Florida (6–1) | Notre Dame (6–1) | Notre Dame (7–1) | West Virginia (7–1) | Wisconsin (10–1) | Texas (9–2) | Oklahoma (10–2) | Auburn (10–2) | West Virginia (11–2) | 10. | |
| 11. | Miami (FL) | Georgia (1–0) | Oklahoma (2–0) | LSU (2–1) | LSU (3–1) т | Oregon (4–0) | California (5–1) | California (6–1) | Clemson (7–1) | California (7–1) | Arkansas (8–1) | Texas (9–2) | Louisville (9–1) | Auburn (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–3) | 11. | |
| 12. | California | Louisville (1–0) | Louisville (2–0) | Oregon (3–0) | Oregon (4–0) | Notre Dame (4–1) | Clemson (5–1) | Clemson (6–1) | California (7–1) т | Arkansas (7–1) | LSU (7–2) | Louisville (8–1) | Boise State (11–0) | Notre Dame (10–2) | West Virginia (10–2) | Rutgers (11–2) | 12. | |
| 13. | Louisville | Michigan (1–0) | Michigan (2–0) | Notre Dame (2–1) | Iowa (4–0) | Oklahoma (3–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Georgia Tech (5–1) | LSU (6–2) т | LSU (6–2) | Boise State (9–0) | Boise State (10–0) | Auburn (10–2) | Rutgers (10–1) | Arkansas (10–3) | Texas (10–3) | 13. | |
| 14. | Georgia | Virginia Tech (1–0) | Virginia Tech (2–0) | Iowa (3–0) | Notre Dame (3–1) | Tennessee (4–1) | Georgia (5–1) | LSU (5–2) | Arkansas (6–1) | Boise State (8–0) | Rutgers (8–0) | Wake Forest (9–1) | Oklahoma (9–2) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | California (10–3) | 14. | |
| 15. | Michigan | Iowa (1–0) | Miami (FL) (1–1) | TCU (3–0) | TCU (4–0) | Clemson (4–1) | Georgia Tech (5–1) | Oregon (5–1) | Boise State (8–0) | Rutgers (8–0) | Tennessee (7–2) | Auburn (9–2) | Georgia Tech (9–2) | West Virginia (9–2) | Wake Forest (11–2) | BYU (11–2) | 15. | |
| 16. | Virginia Tech | Miami (FL) (0–1) | Iowa (2–0) | Oklahoma (2–1) | Oklahoma (3–1) | Florida State (3–1) | LSU (4–2) | Nebraska (6–1) | Rutgers (7–0) | Boston College (7–1) | Wisconsin (9–1) т | Oklahoma (8–2) | Rutgers (9–1) | Wake Forest (10–2) | Texas (9–3) | Arkansas (10–4) | 16. | |
| 17. | Iowa | Tennessee (1–0) | Tennessee (2–0) | Florida State (2–1) | Florida State (3–1) | California (4–1) | Virginia Tech (4–1) | Boise State (7–0) | Boston College (6–1) | Wisconsin (8–1) | Oklahoma (7–2) т | California (8–2) | Virginia Tech (9–2) | Texas (9–3) | Rutgers (10–2) | Wake Forest (11–3) | 17. | |
| 18. | Clemson | Clemson (1–0) | Oregon (2–0) | Arizona State (3–0) | Tennessee (3–1) | Virginia Tech (4–1) | Oregon (4–1) | Arkansas (5–1) | Wisconsin (7–1) | Oklahoma (6–2) | Georgia Tech (7–2) | Georgia Tech (8–2) | Boston College (9–2) | Nebraska (9–3) | Tennessee (9–3) | Virginia Tech (10–3) | 18. | |
| 19. | Penn State | Penn State (1–0) | Nebraska (2–0) | Tennessee (2–1) | Clemson (3–1) | Iowa (4–1) | Boise State (6–0) | Rutgers (6–0) | Oklahoma (5–2) | Clemson (7–2) | Wake Forest (8–1) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | Tennessee (9–3) | California (9–3) | Notre Dame (10–3) | 19. | |
| 20. | Oregon | Oregon (1–0) | TCU (2–0) | California (2–1) | California (3–1) | Georgia Tech (4–1) | Nebraska (5–1) | Oklahoma (4–2) | Nebraska (6–2) | Georgia Tech (6–2) | Oregon (7–2) | Boston College (8–2) | Wake Forest (9–2) | California (8–3) | BYU (10–2) | Boston College (10–3) | 20. | |
| 21. | TCU | Nebraska (1–0) | California (1–1) | Boston College (3–0) | Nebraska (3–1) | Boise State (5–0) | Missouri (6–0) | Boston College (5–1) | Georgia Tech (5–2) | Texas A&M (8–1) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Maryland (8–2) | Tennessee (8–3) | BYU (10–2) | Texas A&M (9–3) | TCU (11–2) | 21. | |
| 22. | Nebraska | TCU (1–0) | Texas Tech (2–0) | Alabama (3–0) | Boise State (4–0) | Nebraska (4–1) | Oklahoma (3–2) | Wisconsin (6–1) | Texas A&M (7–1) | Oregon (6–2) | Boston College (7–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | California (8–3) | Georgia Tech (9–3) | Nebraska (9–4) | Oregon State (10–4) | 22. | |
| 23. | Tennessee | California (0–1) | Arizona State (2–0) | Clemson (2–1) | Rutgers (4–0) | Rutgers (5–0) | Arkansas (4–1) | Iowa (5–2) | Missouri (7–1) | Wake Forest (7–1) | Texas A&M (8–2) | Tennessee (7–3) | BYU (9–2) | Hawaiʻi (10–2) | Boston College (9–3) | Tennessee (9–4) | 23. | |
| 24. | Alabama | Texas Tech (1–0) | Alabama (2–0) | Nebraska (2–1) | Texas Tech (3–1) | Texas Tech (4–1) | Rutgers (5–0) | Georgia (5–2) | Oregon (5–2) | Virginia Tech (6–2) | Maryland (7–2) | BYU (8–2) | Clemson (8–3) | Texas A&M (9–3) | TCU (10–2) | Hawaiʻi (11–3) | 24. | |
| 25. | Texas Tech | Alabama (1–0) | Boston College (2–0) | Boise State (3–0) | Boston College (3–1) | Missouri (5–0) | Boston College (4–1) | Texas A&M (6–1) | Georgia (6–2) | Missouri (7–2) | Nebraska (7–3) | Clemson (8–3) | Hawaiʻi (9–2) | Boston College (9–3) | Georgia Tech (9–4) т | Penn State (9–4) | 25. | |
| Oregon State (9–4) т | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preseason | Week 1 Sept 5 | Week 2 Sept 10 | Week 3 Sept 17 | Week 4 Sept 24 | Week 5 Oct 1 | Week 6 Oct 8 | Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 Dec 3 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 9 | |||
| Dropped: None | Dropped: Clemson Penn State | Dropped: Miami (FL) Texas Tech | Dropped: Arizona State Alabama | Dropped: TCU Boston College | Dropped: Florida State Texas Tech | Dropped: Virginia Tech Missouri | Dropped: Iowa | Dropped: Georgia Nebraska | Dropped: Clemson Missouri | Dropped: Oregon Texas A&M | Dropped: Maryland | Dropped: Clemson | Dropped: Hawaiʻi | Dropped: Texas A&M<br />Nebraska Georgia Tech |
| Week 4 Sept 24 | Week 5 Oct 1 | Week 6 Oct 8 | Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 (Final) Dec 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ohio State (4–0) (107) | Ohio State (5–0) (110) | Ohio State (6–0) (112) | Ohio State (7–0) (112) | Ohio State (8–0) (112) | Ohio State (9–0) (113) | Ohio State (10–0) (113) | Ohio State (11–0) (112) | Ohio State (12–0) (114) | Ohio State (12–0) (114) | Ohio State (12–0) (112) | 1. | |
| 2. | USC (3–0) (4) | USC (4–0) (2) | USC (5–0) (1) | Michigan (7–0) (1) | Michigan (8–0) (1) | Michigan (9–0) | Michigan (10–0) | Michigan (11–0) | USC (9–1) | USC (10–1) | Florida (12–1) (1) | 2. | |
| 3. | Auburn (4–0) (2) | Auburn (5–0) (1) | Florida (6–0) (1) | USC (6–0) (1) | USC (6–0) | West Virginia (7–0) (1) | Louisville (8–0) (1) | USC (8–1) | Michigan (11–1) | Michigan (11–1) | Michigan (11–1) | 3. | |
| 4. | West Virginia (4–0) | Michigan (5–0) | Michigan (6–0) | West Virginia (6–0) | West Virginia (7–0) | Texas (8–1) | Texas (9–1) | Florida (9–1) | Florida (10–1) | Florida (11–1) | LSU (10–2) | 4. | |
| 5. | Michigan (4–0) | Florida (5–0) (1) т | West Virginia (5–0) | Texas (6–1) | Texas (7–1) | Louisville (7–0) | Auburn (8–1) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Notre Dame (10–1) | LSU (10–2) | Louisville (11–1) | 5. | |
| 6. | Florida (4–0) | West Virginia(4–0) т | Texas (5–1) | Louisville (6–0) | Louisville (7–0) | Auburn (8–1) | Florida (8–1) | Arkansas (9–1) | Arkansas (10–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | 6. | |
| 7. | Louisville (4–0) | Louisville (4–0) | Louisville (5–0) | Auburn (6–1) | Auburn (7–1) | Florida (7–1) | USC (7–1) | Rutgers (9–0) | West Virginia (9–1) | Louisville (10–1) | USC (10–2) | 7. | |
| 8. | Texas (3–1) | Texas (4–1) | Tennessee (5–1) | Tennessee (5–1) | Tennessee (6–1) | Tennessee (7–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | West Virginia (8–1) | LSU (9–2) | Arkansas (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–2) | 8. | |
| 9. | Georgia (4–0) | LSU (4–1) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Florida (6–1) | Florida (6–1) | USC (6–1) | California (8–1) | LSU (8–2) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Boise State (12–0) | Boise State (12–0) | 9. | |
| 10. | LSU (3–1) | Georgia (5–0) | Auburn (5–1) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Notre Dame (6–1) | Notre Dame (7–1) | West Virginia (7–1) | Louisville (8–1) | Louisville (9–1) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Auburn (10–2) т | 10. | |
| 11. | Virginia Tech (4–0) | Oregon (4–0) | California (5–1) | California (6–1) | California (7–1) | California (7–1) | Arkansas (8–1) | Wisconsin (10–1) | Texas (9–2) | Oklahoma (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) т | 11. | |
| 12. | Notre Dame (3–1) | Notre Dame (4–1) | Clemson (5–1) | Clemson (6–1) | Clemson (7–1) | Arkansas (7–1) | LSU (7–2) | Texas (9–2) | Boise State (11–0) | Auburn (10–2) | West Virginia (10–2) | 12. | |
| 13. | Oregon (3–0) | Tennessee (4–1) | Iowa (5–1) | Georgia Tech (5–1) | LSU (6–2) | LSU (6–2) | Rutgers (8–0) | Boise State (10–0) | Auburn (10–2) | Rutgers (10–1) | Arkansas (10–3) | 13. | |
| 14. | Iowa (4–0) | Oklahoma (3–1) | Georgia (5–1) | LSU (5–2) | Arkansas (6–1) | Rutgers (8–0) | Boise State (8–0) | Wake Forest (9–1) | Oklahoma (9–2) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | Wake Forest (11–2) | 14. | |
| 15. | Tennessee (3–1) | Clemson (4–1) | Georgia Tech (5–1) | Oregon (5–1) | Rutgers (7–0) | Boise State (8–0) | Tennessee (7–2) | Auburn (9–2) | Rutgers (9–1) | West Virginia (9–2) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | 15. | |
| 16. | Oklahoma (3–1) | California (4–1) | LSU (4–2) | Nebraska (6–1) | Boise State (8–0) | Boston College (7–1) | Wisconsin (9–1) | Oklahoma (9–2) | Georgia Tech (9–2) | Wake Forest (10–2) | Rutgers (10–2) | 16. | |
| 17. | TCU (3–0) | Florida State (3–1) | Missouri (6–0) | Arkansas (5–1) | Boston College (6–1) | Wisconsin (8–1) | Oklahoma (7–2) | California (8–2) | Virginia Tech (9–2) | Texas (9–3) | Texas (9–3) | 17. | |
| 18. | California (3–1) | Iowa (4–1) | Virginia Tech (4–1) | Boise State (6–0) | Wisconsin (7–1) | Oklahoma (6–2) | Wake Forest (8–1) | Georgia Tech (8–2) | Boston College (9–2) | Tennessee (9–3) | Tennessee (9–3) | 18. | |
| 19. | Clemson (3–1) | Virginia Tech (4–1) | Nebraska (5–1) | Rutgers (6–0) | Oklahoma (5–2) | Clemson (7–2) | Georgia Tech (7–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Tennessee (8–3) | BYU (10–2) | BYU (10–2) | 19. | |
| 20. | Florida State (3–1) | Georgia Tech (4–1) | Oregon (4–1) | Oklahoma (4–2) | Nebraska (6–2) | Georgia Tech (6–2) | Oregon (7–2) | Boston College (8–2) | Wake Forest (9–2) | Nebraska (9–3) | California (9–3) | 20. | |
| 21. | Nebraska (3–1) | Nebraska (4–1) | Boise State (6–0) | Boston College (5–1) | Missouri (7–1) | Texas A&M (8–1) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Maryland (8–2) | BYU (9–2) | California (8–3) | Texas A&M (9–3) | 21. | |
| 22. | Boise State (4–0) | Boise State (5–0) | Arkansas (4–1) | Wisconsin (6–1) | Georgia Tech (5–2) | Oregon (6–2) | Boston College (7–2) | Tennessee (7–3) | Nebraska (8–3) | Georgia Tech (9–3) | Nebraska (9–4) | 22. | |
| 23. | Rutgers (4–0) | Missouri (5–0) | Oklahoma (3–2) | Iowa (5–2) | Texas A&M (7–1) | Wake Forest (7–1) | Maryland (7–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | California (8–3) | Hawaiʻi (10–2) | Boston College (9–3) | 23. | |
| 24. | Missouri (4–0) | Rutgers (5–0) | Rutgers (5–0) | Georgia (5–2) | Oregon (5–2) | Virginia Tech (6–2) | Texas A&M (8–2) | BYU (8–2) | Clemson (8–3) | Texas A&M (9–3) | TCU (10–2) | 24. | |
| 25. | Boston College (3–1) | Boston College (4–1) | Boston College (4–1) | Missouri (6–1) | Wake Forest (6–1) | Tulsa (7–1) | Nebraska (7–3) | Oregon (7–3) | Hawaiʻi (9–2) | Boston College (9–3) | Georgia Tech (9–4) | 25. | |
| Week 4 Sept 24 | Week 5 Oct 1 | Week 6 Oct 8 | Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 (Final) Dec 3 | |||
| Dropped: TCU | Dropped: Florida State | Dropped: Virginia Tech | Dropped: Georgia Iowa | Dropped: Missouri Nebraska | Dropped: Clemson Tulsa | Dropped: Texas A&M | Dropped: Maryland Oregon | Dropped: Clemson | Dropped: Hawaiʻi |
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) determined the two teams that competed in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.
| Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 (Final) Dec 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ohio State (7–0) | Ohio State (8–0) | Ohio State (9–0) | Ohio State (10–0) | Ohio State (11–0) | Ohio State (12–0) | Ohio State (12–0) | Ohio State (12–0) | 1. | |
| 2. | USC (6–0) | Michigan (8–0) | Michigan (9–0) | Michigan (10–0) | Michigan (11–0) | Michigan (11–1) | USC (10–1) | Florida (12–1) | 2. | |
| 3. | Michigan (7–0) | USC (6–0) | West Virginia (7–0) | Louisville (8–0) | USC (8–1) | USC (9–1) | Michigan (11–1) | Michigan (11–1) | 3. | |
| 4. | Auburn (6–1) | West Virginia (7–0) | Florida (7–1) | Florida (8–1) | Florida (9–1) | Florida (10–1) | Florida (11–1) | LSU (10–2) | 4. | |
| 5. | West Virginia (6–0) | Auburn (7–1) | Louisville (7–0) | Texas (9–1) | Notre Dame (9–1) | Notre Dame (10–1) | LSU (10–2) | USC (10–2) | 5. | |
| 6. | Florida (6–1) | Florida (6–1) | Auburn (8–1) | Auburn (9–1) | Rutgers (9–0) | Arkansas (10–1) | Louisville (10–1) | Louisville (11–1) | 6. | |
| 7. | Louisville (6–0) | Texas (7–1) | Texas (8–1) | USC (7–1) | Arkansas (9–1) | West Virginia (9–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | 7. | |
| 8. | Notre Dame (5–1) | Louisville (7–0) | USC (6–1) | California (8–1) | West Virginia (8–1) | Wisconsin (11–1) | Boise State (12–0) | Boise State (12–0) | 8. | |
| 9. | Texas (6–1) | Notre Dame (6–1) | Notre Dame (7–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | Wisconsin (10–1) | Louisville (9–1) | Arkansas (10–2) | Auburn (10–2) | 9. | |
| 10. | California (6–1) | California (7–1) | California (7–1) | West Virginia (7–1) | Louisville (8–1) | LSU (9–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | Oklahoma (11–2) | 10. | |
| 11. | Tennessee (5–1) | Tennessee (6–1) | Tennessee (7–1) | Arkansas (8–1) | LSU (8–2) | Boise State (11–0) | Auburn (10–2) | Notre Dame (10–2) | 11. | |
| 12. | Clemson (6–1) | Clemson (7–1) | Rutgers (8–0) | LSU (7–2) | Boise State (10–0) | Auburn (10–2) | Oklahoma (10–2) | Arkansas (10–3) | 12. | |
| 13. | Arkansas (5–1) | Arkansas (6–1) | Arkansas (7–1) | Rutgers (8–0) | Texas (9–2) | Texas (9–2) | Rutgers (10–1) | West Virginia (10–2) | 13. | |
| 14. | Oregon (5–1) | Rutgers (7–0) | Boise State (8–0) | Boise State (9–0) | Auburn (9–2) | Rutgers (9–1) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | Wake Forest (11–2) | 14. | |
| 15. | Boise State (6–0) | Boise State (8–0) | Boston College (7–1) | Wisconsin (9–1) | California (8–2) | Oklahoma (9–2) | West Virginia (9–2) | Virginia Tech (10–2) | 15. | |
| 16. | Rutgers (6–0) | LSU (6–2) | Wisconsin (8–1) | Tennessee (7–2) | Wake Forest (9–1) | Georgia Tech (9–2) | Tennessee (9–3) | Rutgers (10–2) | 16. | |
| 17. | Nebraska (6–1) | Boston College (6–1) | LSU (6–2) | Oklahoma (7–2) | Oklahoma (8–2) | Virginia Tech (9–2) | Wake Forest (10–2) | Tennessee (9–3) | 17. | |
| 18. | LSU (5–2) | Wisconsin (7–1) | Oklahoma (6–2) | Georgia Tech (7–2) | Georgia Tech (8–2) | Boston College (9–2) | California (8–3) | California (9–3) | 18. | |
| 19. | Georgia Tech (5–1) | Oklahoma (5–2) | Clemson (7–2) | Wake Forest (8–1) | Maryland (8–2) | California (8–3) | Texas (9–3) | Texas (9–3) | 19. | |
| 20. | Boston College (5–1) | Missouri (7–1) | Georgia Tech (6–2) | Oregon (7–2) | Boston College (8–2) | Tennessee (8–3) | Nebraska (9–3) | BYU (10–2) | 20. | |
| 21. | Wisconsin (6–1) | Texas A&M (7–1) | Texas A&M (8–1) | Virginia Tech (7–2) | Virginia Tech (8–2) | Wake Forest (9–2) | BYU (10–2) | Texas A&M (9–3) | 21. | |
| 22. | Oklahoma (4–2) | Nebraska (6–2) | Oregon (6–2) | Boston College (7–2) | Tennessee (7–3) | Nebraska (8–3) | Georgia Tech (9–3) | Oregon State (9–4) | 22. | |
| 23. | Iowa (5–2) | Oregon (5–2) | Washington State (6–3) | Maryland (7–2) | Nebraska (8–3) | BYU (9–2) | Texas A&M (9–3) | Nebraska (9–4) | 23. | |
| 24. | Missouri (6–1) | Georgia Tech (5–2) | Wake Forest (7–1) | Oregon State (6–3) | Oregon (7–3) | Clemson (8–3) | Oregon State (8–4) | Boston College (9–3) | 24. | |
| 25. | Tulsa (5–1) | Washington State (5–3) | Virginia Tech (6–2) | Texas A&M (8–2) | BYU (8–2) | Penn State (8–4) | Hawaiʻi (10–2) | UCLA (7–5) | 25. | |
| Week 7 Oct 15 | Week 8 Oct 22 | Week 9 Oct 29 | Week 10 Nov 5 | Week 11 Nov 12 | Week 12 Nov 19 | Week 13 Nov 26 | Week 14 (Final) Dec 3 | |||
| Dropped: Iowa Tulsa | Dropped: Missouri Nebraska | Dropped: Clemson Washington State | Dropped: Oregon State Texas A&M | Dropped: Maryland Oregon | Dropped: Boston College Clemson Penn State | Dropped: Georgia Tech Hawaiʻi |