1981 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NCAA football rankings
| season = 1981
| image =
| image_caption =
| preseason_number_1 = Michigan
| champions = Clemson
| conference = Big Ten, Big 8, Pac-10 (3)
}}
Two human polls comprised the 1981 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
| style="border:1px solid black;" |
| style="background:#D8FFEB; width:20px; border:1px solid black;" |
| | Increase in ranking |
| style="background:#FFE6E6; width:20px; border:1px solid black;" |
| | Decrease in ranking |
| style="background:#FFFFE6; width:20px; border:1px solid black;" |
| | Not ranked previous week |
| style="background:#9cf; width:20px; border:1px solid black;"|
| | National champion |
| {{center|(#–#)}}
| | Win–loss record |
| {{center|(Italics)}}
| | Number of first place votes |
| {{center|т}}
| | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
AP Poll
{{clear right}}
{{ColPollTable
|Week1 = 0
|Week2 = 1
|Week3 = 2
|Week4 = 3
|Week5 = 4
|Week6 = 5
|Week7 = 6
|Week8 = 7
|Week9 = 8
|Week10 = 9
|Week11 = 10
|Week12 = 11
|Week13 = 12
|Week14 = 13
|Week15 = 14 (Final)
|Week1-1 = Michigan (38)
|Week1-2 = Oklahoma (7)
|Week1-3 = Notre Dame (7)
|Week1-4 = Alabama (3)
|Week1-5 = USC (5)
|Week1-6 = Nebraska
|Week1-7 = Penn State (1)
|Week1-8 = Pittsburgh
|Week1-9 = Texas
|Week1-10 = Georgia
|Week1-11 = Ohio State (1)
|Week1-12 = North Carolina
|Week1-13 = UCLA
|Week1-14 = Mississippi State
|Week1-15 = Washington
|Week1-16 = BYU
|Week1-17 = Florida
|Week1-18 = Stanford
|Week1-19 = Florida State
|Week1-20 = Arizona State
|Week2-1 = Michigan (0–0) (37)
|Week2-1-Color =
|Week2-2 = Alabama (1–0) (11)
|Week2-2-Color = u
|Week2-3 = Oklahoma (0–0)
|Week2-3-Color = d
|Week2-4 = Notre Dame (0–0) (4)
|Week2-4-Color = d
|Week2-5 = USC (0–0) (3)
|Week2-5-Color =
|Week2-6 = Georgia (1–0) (4)
|Week2-6-Color = u
|Week2-7 = Nebraska (0–0)
|Week2-7-Color = d
|Week2-8 = Texas (0–0)
|Week2-8-Color = u
|Week2-9 = Penn State (0–0)
|Week2-9-Color = d
|Week2-10 = Pittsburgh (1–0)
|Week2-10-Color = d
|Week2-11 = Ohio State (0–0)
|Week2-11-Color =
|Week2-12 = UCLA (0–0)
|Week2-12-Color = u
|Week2-13 = North Carolina (0–0)
|Week2-13-Color = d
|Week2-14 = Mississippi State (1–0)
|Week2-14-Color =
|Week2-15 = BYU (1–0)
|Week2-15-Color = u
|Week2-16 = Miami (FL) (1–0)
|Week2-16-Color = npr
|Week2-17 = Washington (0–0)
|Week2-17-Color = d
|Week2-18 = Florida State (1–0)
|Week2-18-Color = u
|Week2-19 = Stanford (0–0)
|Week2-19-Color = d
|Week2-20 = Arizona State (0–0)
|Week2-20-Color =
|Week2Dropped = {{ubl|Florida}}
|Week3-1 = Notre Dame (1–0) (24)
|Week3-1-Color = u
|Week3-2 = USC (1–0) (12)
|Week3-2-Color = u
|Week3-3 = Oklahoma (1–0) (12)
|Week3-3-Color =
|Week3-4 = Georgia (2–0) (12)
|Week3-4-Color = u
|Week3-5 = Penn State (1–0) (1)
|Week3-5-Color = u
|Week3-6 = Texas (1–0) (1)
|Week3-6-Color = u
|Week3-7 = Pittsburgh (1–0)
|Week3-7-Color = u
|Week3-8 = Ohio State (1–0)
|Week3-8-Color = u
|Week3-9 = UCLA (1–0)
|Week3-9-Color = u
|Week3-10 = North Carolina (1–0)
|Week3-10-Color = u
|Week3-11 = Michigan (0–1)
|Week3-11-Color = d
|Week3-12 = Alabama (1–1)
|Week3-12-Color = d
|Week3-13 = BYU (2–0)
|Week3-13-Color = u
|Week3-14 = Mississippi State (1–0)
|Week3-14-Color =
|Week3-15 = Washington (1–0)
|Week3-15-Color = u
|Week3-16 = Miami (FL) (1–0)
|Week3-16-Color =
|Week3-17 = Nebraska (0–1)
|Week3-17-Color = d
|Week3-18 = Arizona State (1–0)
|Week3-18-Color = u
|Week3-19 = Florida State (2–0)
|Week3-19-Color = d
|Week3-20 = Wisconsin (1–0)
|Week3-20-Color = npr
|Week3Dropped = {{ubl|Stanford}}
|Week4-1 = USC (2–0) (46)
|Week4-1-Color = u
|Week4-2 = Oklahoma (1–0) (15)
|Week4-2-Color = u
|Week4-3 = Penn State (1–0) (2)
|Week4-3-Color = u
|Week4-4 = Texas (2–0) (1)
|Week4-4-Color = u
|Week4-5 = Pittsburgh (2–0)
|Week4-5-Color = u
|Week4-6 = UCLA (2–0)
|Week4-6-Color = u
|Week4-7 = Michigan (1–1) (1)
|Week4-7-Color = u
|Week4-8 = Ohio State (2–0)
|Week4-8-Color =
|Week4-9 = North Carolina (2–0)
|Week4-9-Color = u
|Week4-10 = Alabama (2–1)
|Week4-10-Color = u
|Week4-11 = BYU (3–0)
|Week4-11-Color = u
|Week4-12 = Mississippi State (2–0)
|Week4-12-Color = u
|Week4-13 = Notre Dame (1–1)
|Week4-13-Color = d
|Week4-14 = Miami (FL) (2–0)
|Week4-14-Color = u
|Week4-15 = Nebraska (1–1)
|Week4-15-Color = u
|Week4-16 = Washington (2–0)
|Week4-16-Color = d
|Week4-17 = Georgia (2–1)
|Week4-17-Color = d
|Week4-18 = Arizona State (2–0)
|Week4-18-Color =
|Week4-19 = Clemson (3–0)
|Week4-19-Color = npr
|Week4-20 = SMU (3–0)
|Week4-20-Color = npr
|Week4Dropped = {{ubl|Florida State|Wisconsin}}
|Week5-1 = USC (3–0) (57 {{frac|1|2}})
|Week5-1-Color =
|Week5-2 = Penn State (2–0) (5 {{frac|1|2}})
|Week5-2-Color = u
|Week5-3 = Texas (3–0) (1)
|Week5-3-Color = u
|Week5-4 = Pittsburgh (2–0)
|Week5-4-Color = u
|Week5-5 = Oklahoma (1–1)
|Week5-5-Color = d
|Week5-6 = North Carolina (3–0)
|Week5-6-Color = u
|Week5-7 = Ohio State (3–0)
|Week5-7-Color = u
|Week5-8 = Michigan (2–1)
|Week5-8-Color = d
|Week5-9 = Mississippi State (3–0)
|Week5-9-Color = u
|Week5-10 = BYU (4–0)
|Week5-10-Color = u
|Week5-11 = Alabama (3–1)
|Week5-11-Color = d
|Week5-12 = Washington (3–0)
|Week5-12-Color = u
|Week5-13 = Georgia (3–1)
|Week5-13-Color = u
|Week5-14 = Clemson (3–0)
|Week5-14-Color = u
|Week5-15 = SMU (4–0)
|Week5-15-Color = u
|Week5-16 = UCLA (2–1)
|Week5-16-Color = d
|Week5-17 = Miami (FL) (2–1)
|Week5-17-Color = d
|Week5-18 = Iowa (2–1)
|Week5-18-Color = npr
|Week5-19 = Arkansas (3–0)
|Week5-19-Color = npr
|Week5-20 = Iowa State (3–0)
|Week5-20-Color = npr
|Week5Dropped = {{ubl|Notre Dame|Nebraska|Arizona State}}
|Week6-1 = USC (4–0) (58)
|Week6-1-Color =
|Week6-2 = Penn State (3–0) (6)
|Week6-2-Color =
|Week6-3 = Texas (3–0) (1)
|Week6-3-Color =
|Week6-4 = Pittsburgh (3–0)
|Week6-4-Color =
|Week6-5 = North Carolina (4–0)
|Week6-5-Color = u
|Week6-6 = Michigan (3–1)
|Week6-6-Color = u
|Week6-7 = Alabama (4–1)
|Week6-7-Color = u
|Week6-8 = BYU (5–0)
|Week6-8-Color = u
|Week6-9 = Clemson (4–0)
|Week6-9-Color = u
|Week6-10 = Oklahoma (1–1–1)
|Week6-10-Color = d
|Week6-11 = Georgia (3–1)
|Week6-11-Color = u
|Week6-12 = Iowa State (3–0–1)
|Week6-12-Color = u
|Week6-13 = Missouri (4–0)
|Week6-13-Color = npr
|Week6-14 = SMU (4–0)
|Week6-14-Color = u
|Week6-15 = Iowa (3–1)
|Week6-15-Color = u
|Week6-16 = Miami (FL) (3–1)
|Week6-16-Color = u
|Week6-17 = UCLA (3–1)
|Week6-17-Color = d
|Week6-18 = Ohio State (3–1)
|Week6-18-Color = d
|Week6-19 = Mississippi State (3–1)
|Week6-19-Color = d
|Week6-20 = Florida State (3–1)
|Week6-20-Color = npr
|Week6Dropped = {{ubl|Washington|Arkansas}}
|Week7-1 = Texas (4–0) (35)
|Week7-1-Color = u
|Week7-2 = Penn State (4–0) (24)
|Week7-2-Color =
|Week7-3 = Pittsburgh (4–0) (3)
|Week7-3-Color = u
|Week7-4 = North Carolina (5–0) (4)
|Week7-4-Color = u
|Week7-5 = Michigan (4–1)
|Week7-5-Color = u
|Week7-6 = Clemson (5–0)
|Week7-6-Color = u
|Week7-7 = USC (4–1)
|Week7-7-Color = d
|Week7-8 = Missouri (5–0)
|Week7-8-Color = u
|Week7-9 = Georgia (4–1)
|Week7-9-Color = u
|Week7-10 = SMU (5–0)
|Week7-10-Color = u
|Week7-11 = Florida State (4–1)
|Week7-11-Color = u
|Week7-12 = Iowa (4–1)
|Week7-12-Color = u
|Week7-13 = Miami (FL) (3–1)
|Week7-13-Color = u
|Week7-14 = Wisconsin (4–1)
|Week7-14-Color = npr
|Week7-15 = Alabama (4–1–1)
|Week7-15-Color = d
|Week7-16 = Mississippi State (4–1)
|Week7-16-Color = u
|Week7-17 = BYU (5–1)
|Week7-17-Color = d
|Week7-18 = Washington State (5–0)
|Week7-18-Color = npr
|Week7-19 = Nebraska (3–2)
|Week7-19-Color = npr
|Week7-20 = Arizona State (4–1)
|Week7-20-Color = npr
|Week7Dropped = {{ubl|Oklahoma|Iowa State|UCLA|Ohio State}}
|Week8-1 = Penn State (5–0) (36 {{frac|1|2}})
|Week8-1-Color = u
|Week8-2 = Pittsburgh (5–0) (26 {{frac|1|2}})
|Week8-2-Color = u
|Week8-3 = North Carolina (6–0) (3)
|Week8-3-Color = u
|Week8-4 = Clemson (6–0)
|Week8-4-Color = u
|Week8-5 = USC (5–1)
|Week8-5-Color = u
|Week8-6 = Iowa (5–1)
|Week8-6-Color = u
|Week8-7 = Georgia (5–1)
|Week8-7-Color = u
|Week8-8 = SMU (6–0)
|Week8-8-Color = u
|Week8-9 = Mississippi State (5–1)
|Week8-9-Color = u
|Week8-10 = Texas (4–1)
|Week8-10-Color = d
|Week8-11 = Alabama (5–1–1)
|Week8-11-Color = u
|Week8-12 = Arkansas (5–1)
|Week8-12-Color = npr
|Week8-13 = BYU (6–1)
|Week8-13-Color = u
|Week8-14 = Iowa State (4–1–1)
|Week8-14-Color = npr
|Week8-15 = Nebraska (4–2)
|Week8-15-Color = u
|Week8-16 = Washington State (5–0–1)
|Week8-16-Color = u
|Week8-17 = Arizona State (5–1)
|Week8-17-Color = u
|Week8-18 = Michigan (4–2)
|Week8-18-Color = d
|Week8-19 = Missouri (5–1)
|Week8-19-Color = d
|Week8-20 = Florida State (4–2)
|Week8-20-Color = d
|Week8Dropped = {{ubl|Miami (FL)|Wisconsin}}
|Week9-1 = Penn State (6–0) (45)
|Week9-1-Color =
|Week9-2 = Pittsburgh (6–0) (19)
|Week9-2-Color =
|Week9-3 = Clemson (7–0)
|Week9-3-Color = u
|Week9-4 = USC (6–1)
|Week9-4-Color = u
|Week9-5 = Georgia (6–1)
|Week9-5-Color = u
|Week9-6 = Texas (5–1)
|Week9-6-Color = u
|Week9-7 = Mississippi State (6–1)
|Week9-7-Color = u
|Week9-8 = Alabama (6–1–1)
|Week9-8-Color = u
|Week9-9 = North Carolina (6–1)
|Week9-9-Color = d
|Week9-10 = Arizona State (6–1)
|Week9-10-Color = u
|Week9-11 = Iowa State (5–1–1)
|Week9-11-Color = u
|Week9-12 = Nebraska (5–2)
|Week9-12-Color = u
|Week9-13 = SMU (6–1)
|Week9-13-Color = d
|Week9-14 = Washington State (6–0–1)
|Week9-14-Color = u
|Week9-15 = Michigan (5–2)
|Week9-15-Color = u
|Week9-16 = Iowa (5–2)
|Week9-16-Color = d
|Week9-17 = Florida State (5–2)
|Week9-17-Color = u
|Week9-18 = Washington (6–1)
|Week9-18-Color = npr
|Week9-19 = Oklahoma (3–2–1)
|Week9-19-Color = npr
|Week9-20 = Arkansas (5–2)
|Week9-20-Color = d
|Week9Dropped = {{ubl|BYU|Missouri}}
|Week10-1 = Pittsburgh (7–0) (49)
|Week10-1-Color = u
|Week10-2 = Clemson (8–0) (9)
|Week10-2-Color = u
|Week10-3 = USC (7–1) (7)
|Week10-3-Color = u
|Week10-4 = Georgia (7–1)
|Week10-4-Color = u
|Week10-5 = Texas (6–1)
|Week10-5-Color = u
|Week10-6 = Penn State (6–1)
|Week10-6-Color = d
|Week10-7 = Alabama (7–1–1)
|Week10-7-Color = u
|Week10-8 = North Carolina (7–1)
|Week10-8-Color = u
|Week10-9 = Arizona State (6–1)
|Week10-9-Color = u
|Week10-10 = SMU (7–1)
|Week10-10-Color = u
|Week10-11 = Nebraska (6–2)
|Week10-11-Color = u
|Week10-12 = Michigan (6–2)
|Week10-12-Color = u
|Week10-13 = Miami (FL) (5–2)
|Week10-13-Color = npr
|Week10-14 = Florida State (6–2)
|Week10-14-Color = u
|Week10-15 = Mississippi State (6–2)
|Week10-15-Color = d
|Week10-16 = Washington (7–1)
|Week10-16-Color = u
|Week10-17 = Oklahoma (4–2–1)
|Week10-17-Color = u
|Week10-18 = Ohio State (6–2)
|Week10-18-Color = npr
|Week10-19 = Arkansas (6–2)
|Week10-19-Color = u
|Week10-20 = Southern Miss (6–0–1)
|Week10-20-Color = npr
|Week10Dropped = {{ubl|Iowa State|Washington State|Iowa}}
|Week11-1 = Pittsburgh (8–0) (53)
|Week11-1-Color =
|Week11-2 = Clemson (9–0) (7)
|Week11-2-Color =
|Week11-3 = USC (8–1) (8)
|Week11-3-Color =
|Week11-4 = Georgia (8–1)
|Week11-4-Color =
|Week11-5 = Penn State (7–1)
|Week11-5-Color = u
|Week11-6 = Alabama (7–1–1)
|Week11-6-Color = u
|Week11-7 = Nebraska (7–2)
|Week11-7-Color = u
|Week11-8 = SMU (8–1)
|Week11-8-Color = u
|Week11-9 = Arizona State (7–1)
|Week11-9-Color =
|Week11-10 = Texas (6–1–1)
|Week11-10-Color = d
|Week11-11 = Michigan (7–2)
|Week11-11-Color = u
|Week11-12 = Miami (FL) (6–2)
|Week11-12-Color = u
|Week11-13 = North Carolina (7–2)
|Week11-13-Color = d
|Week11-14 = Southern Miss (7–0–1)
|Week11-14-Color = u
|Week11-15 = Oklahoma (5–2–1)
|Week11-15-Color = u
|Week11-16 = Arkansas (7–2)
|Week11-16-Color = u
|Week11-17 = Washington State (7–1–1)
|Week11-17-Color = u
|Week11-18 = UCLA (6–2–1)
|Week11-18-Color = npr
|Week11-19 = Hawaii (7–0)
|Week11-19-Color = npr
|Week11-20 = Florida State (6–3)
|Week11-20-Color = d
|Week11Dropped = {{ubl|Mississippi State|Washington|Ohio State}}
|Week12-1 = Pittsburgh (9–0) (63)
|Week12-1-Color =
|Week12-2 = Clemson (10–0) (5)
|Week12-2-Color =
|Week12-3 = Georgia (9–1)
|Week12-3-Color = u
|Week12-4 = Alabama (8–1–1)
|Week12-4-Color = u
|Week12-5 = Nebraska (8–2)
|Week12-5-Color = u
|Week12-6 = SMU (9–1)
|Week12-6-Color = u
|Week12-7 = Michigan (8–2)
|Week12-7-Color = u
|Week12-8 = Texas (7–1–1)
|Week12-8-Color = u
|Week12-9 = Southern Miss (8–0–1)
|Week12-9-Color = u
|Week12-10 = USC (8–2)
|Week12-10-Color = d
|Week12-11 = Miami (FL) (7–2)
|Week12-11-Color = u
|Week12-12 = North Carolina (8–2)
|Week12-12-Color = u
|Week12-13 = Penn State (7–2)
|Week12-13-Color = d
|Week12-14 = Washington State (8–1–1)
|Week12-14-Color = u
|Week12-15 = UCLA (7–2–1)
|Week12-15-Color = u
|Week12-16 = Arkansas (8–2)
|Week12-16-Color =
|Week12-17 = Washington (8–2)
|Week12-17-Color = npr
|Week12-18 = BYU (9–2)
|Week12-18-Color = npr
|Week12-19 = Iowa (7–3)
|Week12-19-Color = npr
|Week12-20 = Arizona State (7–2)
|Week12-20-Color = d
|Week12Dropped = {{ubl|Oklahoma|Hawaii|Florida State}}
|Week13-1 = Pittsburgh (10–0) (60)
|Week13-1-Color =
|Week13-2 = Clemson (11–0) (5)
|Week13-2-Color =
|Week13-3 = Georgia (9–1)
|Week13-3-Color =
|Week13-4 = Alabama (8–1–1)
|Week13-4-Color =
|Week13-5 = Nebraska (9–2)
|Week13-5-Color =
|Week13-6 = SMU (10–1)
|Week13-6-Color =
|Week13-7 = Texas (8–1–1)
|Week13-7-Color = u
|Week13-8 = USC (9–2)
|Week13-8-Color = u
|Week13-9 = Miami (FL) (8–2)
|Week13-9-Color = u
|Week13-10 = North Carolina (9–2)
|Week13-10-Color = u
|Week13-11 = Penn State (8–2)
|Week13-11-Color = u
|Week13-12 = Washington (9–2)
|Week13-12-Color = u
|Week13-13 = Iowa (8–3)
|Week13-13-Color = u
|Week13-14 = BYU (10–2)
|Week13-14-Color = u
|Week13-15 = Ohio State (8–3)
|Week13-15-Color = npr
|Week13-16 = Michigan (8–3)
|Week13-16-Color = d
|Week13-17 = Southern Miss (8–1–1)
|Week13-17-Color = d
|Week13-18 = Arizona State (8–2)
|Week13-18-Color = u
|Week13-19 = UCLA (7–3–1)
|Week13-19-Color = d
|Week13-20 = Washington State (8–2–1)
|Week13-20-Color = d
|Week13Dropped = {{ubl|Arkansas}}
|Week14-1 = Clemson (11–0) (63)
|Week14-1-Color = u
|Week14-2 = Georgia (10–1) (1)
|Week14-2-Color = u
|Week14-3 = Alabama (9–1–1)
|Week14-3-Color = u
|Week14-4 = Nebraska (9–2) (1)
|Week14-4-Color = u
|Week14-5 = SMU (10–1) (1)
|Week14-5-Color = u
|Week14-6 = Texas (9–1–1)
|Week14-6-Color = u
|Week14-7 = Penn State (9–2) (1)
|Week14-7-Color = u
|Week14-8 = USC (9–2)
|Week14-8-Color =
|Week14-9 = Miami (FL) (9–2) (1)
|Week14-9-Color =
|Week14-10 = Pittsburgh (10–1)
|Week14-10-Color = d
|Week14-11 = North Carolina (9–2)
|Week14-11-Color = d
|Week14-12 = Washington (9–2)
|Week14-12-Color =
|Week14-13 = Iowa (8–3)
|Week14-13-Color =
|Week14-14 = BYU (10–2)
|Week14-14-Color =
|Week14-15 = Ohio State (8–3)
|Week14-15-Color =
|Week14-16 = Michigan (8–3)
|Week14-16-Color =
|Week14-17 = Arizona State (9–2)
|Week14-17-Color = u
|Week14-18 = Southern Miss (9–1–1)
|Week14-18-Color = d
|Week14-19 = UCLA (7–3–1)
|Week14-19-Color =
|Week14-20 = Washington State (8–2–1)
|Week14-20-Color =
|Week14Dropped = {{ubl|}}
|Week15-1 = Clemson (12–0) (47)
|Week15-1-Color = nc
|Week15-2 = Texas (10–1–1) (1)
|Week15-2-Color = u
|Week15-3 = Penn State (10–2) (1)
|Week15-3-Color = u
|Week15-4 = Pittsburgh (11–1)
|Week15-4-Color = u
|Week15-5 = SMU (10–1) (1)
|Week15-5-Color =
|Week15-6 = Georgia (10–2)
|Week15-6-Color = d
|Week15-7 = Alabama (9–2–1)
|Week15-7-Color = d
|Week15-8 = Miami (FL) (9–2)
|Week15-8-Color = u
|Week15-9 = North Carolina (10–2)
|Week15-9-Color = u
|Week15-10 = Washington (10–2)
|Week15-10-Color = u
|Week15-11 = Nebraska (9–3)
|Week15-11-Color = d
|Week15-12 = Michigan (9–3)
|Week15-12-Color = u
|Week15-13 = BYU (11–2)
|Week15-13-Color = u
|Week15-14 = USC (9–3)
|Week15-14-Color = d
|Week15-15 = Ohio State (9–3)
|Week15-15-Color =
|Week15-16 = Arizona State (9–2)
|Week15-16-Color = u
|Week15-17 = West Virginia (9–3)
|Week15-17-Color = npr
|Week15-18 = Iowa (8–4)
|Week15-18-Color = d
|Week15-19 = Missouri (8–4)
|Week15-19-Color = npr
|Week15-20 = Oklahoma (7–4–1)
|Week15-20-Color = npr
|Week15Dropped = {{ubl|Southern Miss|UCLA|Washington State}}
}}
Coaches Poll
Arizona State, SMU, and Miami (FL) (after a November 3, 1981 ruling) were on probation by the NCAA during the 1981 season; they were therefore ineligible to receive votes in the Coaches Poll.
{{clear right}}
{{ColPollTable
|Week1 = 0
|Week2 = 1
|Week3 = 2
|Week4 = 3
|Week5 = 4
|Week6 = 5
|Week7 = 6
|Week8 = 7
|Week9 = 8
|Week10 = 9
|Week11 = 10
|Week12 = 11
|Week13 = 12
|Week14 = 13 (Final)
|Week1Date =Aug 29{{cite news |date=August 29, 1981 |title=Michigan ranked No.1 in UPI preseason poll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/121130685/ |newspaper=Arizona Republic |access-date=January 1, 2017 }}
|Week2Date =Sep 14{{cite news |date=September 15, 1981 |title=Irish take over top spot in both polls |page=21 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/106351269/ |newspaper=Indianapolis Star |access-date=January 29, 2017 }}
|Week4Date =Sep 28{{cite news |date=September 29, 1981 |title=Polls rank Iowa among college football's top 20 |page=10 |url=http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1981/di1981-09-29.pdf |newspaper=The Daily Iowan |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week5Date =Oct 5{{cite news |date=October 6, 1981 |title=The United Press International board of coaches major-college football rankings |page=32 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/139904175/ |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week8Date =Oct 26{{cite news |date=October 27, 1981 |title=Hawks fall to 16th; Lions stay at No. 1 |page=10 |url=http://dailyiowan.lib.uiowa.edu/DI/1981/di1981-10-27.pdf |newspaper=The Daily Iowan |access-date=January 29, 2017 }}
|Week10Date=Nov 9
|Week11Date=Nov 16{{cite news |date=November 17, 1981 |title=Pittsburgh retains top ranking |page=9 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1471105/ |newspaper=The Salina Journal |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week12Date=Nov 23
|Week13Date=Nov 30
|Week1-1 = Michigan (22)
|Week1-2 = Oklahoma (3)
|Week1-3 = Alabama (3)
|Week1-4 = Notre Dame (5)
|Week1-5 = USC (2)
|Week1-6 = Nebraska
|Week1-7 = Penn State (2)
|Week1-8 = Georgia (4)
|Week1-9 = Pittsburgh (1)
|Week1-10 = Texas
|Week1-11 = Ohio State
|Week1-12 = UCLA
|Week1-13 = Florida State
|Week1-14 = North Carolina
|Week1-15 = Mississippi State
|Week1-16 = Florida
|Week1-17 = Washington
|Week1-18 = Houston
|Week1-19 = BYU
|Week1-20 = Baylor
|Week2-1 = Notre Dame (1–0) (11)
|Week2-1-Color = u
|Week2-2 = USC (1–0) (10)
|Week2-2-Color = u
|Week2-3 = Oklahoma (1–0) (14)
|Week2-3-Color = d
|Week2-4 = Georgia (2–0) (7)
|Week2-4-Color = u
|Week2-5 = Penn State (1–0)
|Week2-5-Color = u
|Week2-6 = Texas (1–0)
|Week2-6-Color = u
|Week2-7 = Pittsburgh (1–0)
|Week2-7-Color = u
|Week2-8 = Ohio State (1–0)
|Week2-8-Color = u
|Week2-9 = North Carolina (1–0)
|Week2-9-Color = u
|Week2-10 = UCLA (1–0)
|Week2-10-Color = u
|Week2-11 = Alabama (1–1)
|Week2-11-Color = d
|Week2-12 = Michigan (0–1)
|Week2-12-Color = d
|Week2-13 = BYU (2–0)
|Week2-13-Color = u
|Week2-14 = Mississippi State (1–0)
|Week2-14-Color = u
|Week2-15 = Miami (FL) (1–0)
|Week2-15-Color = npr
|Week2-16 = Florida State (2–0)
|Week2-16-Color = d
|Week2-17 = Washington (1–0)
|Week2-17-Color =
|Week2-18 = Purdue (1–0)
|Week2-18-Color = npr
|Week2-19 = Nebraska (0–1)
|Week2-19-Color = d
|Week2-20 = Wisconsin (1–0)
|Week2-20-Color = npr
|Week2Dropped = {{ubl|Florida|Houston|Baylor}}
|Week3-1 = USC (2–0) (28)
|Week3-1-Color = u
|Week3-2 = Oklahoma (1–0) (10)
|Week3-2-Color = u
|Week3-3 = Penn State (1–0) (1)
|Week3-3-Color = u
|Week3-4 = Texas (2–0) (1)
|Week3-4-Color = u
|Week3-5 = Pittsburgh (2–0)
|Week3-5-Color = u
|Week3-6 = Michigan (1–1)
|Week3-6-Color = u
|Week3-7 = UCLA (2–0)
|Week3-7-Color = u
|Week3-8 = Ohio State (2–0)
|Week3-8-Color =
|Week3-9 = North Carolina (2–0)
|Week3-9-Color =
|Week3-10 = Alabama (2–1)
|Week3-10-Color = u
|Week3-11 = Notre Dame (1–1)
|Week3-11-Color = d
|Week3-12 = Nebraska (1–1)
|Week3-12-Color = u
|Week3-13 = BYU (3–0)
|Week3-13-Color =
|Week3-14 = Mississippi State (2–0)
|Week3-14-Color =
|Week3-15 = Miami (FL) (2–0)
|Week3-15-Color =
|Week3-16 = Georgia (2–1)
|Week3-16-Color = d
|Week3-17 = Washington (2–0)
|Week3-17-Color =
|Week3-18 = Clemson (3–0)
|Week3-18-Color = npr
|Week3-19 = Florida State (2–1)
|Week3-19-Color = d
|Week3-20 = Arkansas (2–0)
West Virginia (2–0)
|Week3-20-Color = npr
|Week3Dropped = {{ubl|Purdue|Wisconsin}}
|Week4-1 = USC (3–0) (39)
|Week4-1-Color =
|Week4-2 = Penn State (2–0) (2)
|Week4-2-Color = u
|Week4-3 = Texas (3–0)
|Week4-3-Color = u
|Week4-4 = Pittsburgh (2–0)
|Week4-4-Color = u
|Week4-5 = North Carolina (3–0) (1)
|Week4-5-Color = u
|Week4-6 = Oklahoma (1–1)
|Week4-6-Color = d
|Week4-7 = Ohio State (3–0)
|Week4-7-Color = u
|Week4-8 = Michigan (2–1)
|Week4-8-Color = d
|Week4-9 = Mississippi State (3–0)
|Week4-9-Color = u
|Week4-10 = Alabama (3–1)
|Week4-10-Color =
|Week4-11 = BYU (4–0)
|Week4-11-Color = u
|Week4-12 = Georgia (3–1)
|Week4-12-Color = u
|Week4-13 = Washington (3–0)
|Week4-13-Color = u
|Week4-14 = Clemson (3–0)
|Week4-14-Color = u
|Week4-15 = Miami (FL) (2–1)
|Week4-15-Color =
|Week4-16 = Arkansas (3–0)
|Week4-16-Color = u
|Week4-17 = Missouri (3–0)
|Week4-17-Color = npr
|Week4-18 = UCLA (2–1)
|Week4-18-Color = d
|Week4-19 = Nebraska (1–2)
|Week4-19-Color = d
|Week4-20 = Iowa (2–1)
|Week4-20-Color = npr
|Week4Dropped = {{ubl|Notre Dame|Florida State|West Virginia}}
|Week5-1 = USC (4–0) (40)
|Week5-1-Color =
|Week5-2 = Penn State (3–0) (1)
|Week5-2-Color =
|Week5-3 = Texas (3–0)
|Week5-3-Color =
|Week5-4 = Pittsburgh (3–0)
|Week5-4-Color =
|Week5-5 = North Carolina (4–0)
|Week5-5-Color =
|Week5-6 = Michigan (3–1)
|Week5-6-Color = u
|Week5-7 = Alabama (4–1)
|Week5-7-Color = u
|Week5-8 = BYU (5–0)
|Week5-8-Color = u
|Week5-9 = Georgia (3–1)
|Week5-9-Color = u
|Week5-10 = Clemson (4–0)
|Week5-10-Color = u
|Week5-11 = Missouri (4–0)
|Week5-11-Color = u
|Week5-12 = Oklahoma (1–1–1)
|Week5-12-Color = d
|Week5-13 = Miami (FL) (3–1)
|Week5-13-Color = u
|Week5-14 = Iowa State (3–0–1)
|Week5-14-Color = npr
|Week5-15 = Iowa (3–1)
|Week5-15-Color = u
|Week5-16 = UCLA (3–1)
|Week5-16-Color = u
|Week5-17 = Ohio State (3–1)
|Week5-17-Color = d
|Week5-18 = Nebraska (2–2)
|Week5-18-Color = u
|Week5-19 = Florida State (3–1)
|Week5-19-Color = npr
|Week5-20 = Mississippi State (3–1)
|Week5-20-Color = d
|Week5Dropped = {{ubl|Washington|Arkansas}}
|Week6-1 = Texas (4–0) (23)
|Week6-1-Color = u
|Week6-2 = Penn State (4–0) (19)
|Week6-2-Color =
|Week6-3 = Pittsburgh (4–0)
|Week6-3-Color = u
|Week6-4 = North Carolina (5–0)
|Week6-4-Color = u
|Week6-5 = Michigan (4–1)
|Week6-5-Color = u
|Week6-6 = USC (4–1)
|Week6-6-Color = d
|Week6-7 = Clemson (5–0)
|Week6-7-Color = u
|Week6-8 = Missouri (5–0)
|Week6-8-Color = u
|Week6-9 = Georgia (4–1)
|Week6-9-Color =
|Week6-10 = Florida State (4–1)
|Week6-10-Color = u
|Week6-11 = Miami (FL) (3–1)
|Week6-11-Color = u
|Week6-12 = Iowa (4–1)
|Week6-12-Color = u
|Week6-13 = Wisconsin (4–1)
|Week6-13-Color = npr
|Week6-14 = Alabama (4–1–1)
|Week6-14-Color = d
|Week6-15 = BYU (5–1)
|Week6-15-Color = d
|Week6-16 = Mississippi State (4–1)
|Week6-16-Color = u
|Week6-17 = Iowa State (3–1–1)
|Week6-17-Color = d
|Week6-18 = Nebraska (3–2)
|Week6-18-Color =
|Week6-19 = Washington State (5–0)
|Week6-19-Color = npr
|Week6-20 = Oklahoma (1–2–1)
|Week6-20-Color = d
|Week6Dropped = {{ubl|UCLA|Ohio State}}
|Week7-1 = Penn State (5–0) (36)
|Week7-1-Color = u
|Week7-2 = Pittsburgh (5–0) (6)
|Week7-2-Color = u
|Week7-3 = North Carolina (6–0)
|Week7-3-Color = u
|Week7-4 = USC (5–1)
|Week7-4-Color = u
|Week7-5 = Clemson (6–0)
|Week7-5-Color = u
|Week7-6 = Georgia (5–1)
|Week7-6-Color = u
|Week7-7 = Iowa (5–1)
|Week7-7-Color = u
|Week7-8 = Texas (4–1)
|Week7-8-Color = d
|Week7-9 = Alabama (5–1–1)
|Week7-9-Color = u
|Week7-10 = Mississippi State (5–1)
|Week7-10-Color = u
|Week7-11 = Nebraska (4–2)
|Week7-11-Color = u
|Week7-12 = Iowa State (4–1–1)
|Week7-12-Color = u
|Week7-13 = Arkansas (5–1)
|Week7-13-Color = npr
|Week7-14 = Washington State (5–0–1)
|Week7-14-Color = u
|Week7-15 = BYU (6–1)
|Week7-15-Color =
|Week7-16 = Missouri (5–1)
|Week7-16-Color = d
|Week7-17 = Oklahoma (2–2–1)
|Week7-17-Color = u
|Week7-18 = Washington (5–1)
|Week7-18-Color = npr
|Week7-19 = Michigan (4–2)
|Week7-19-Color = d
|Week7-20 = Florida State (4–2)
|Week7-20-Color = d
|Week7Dropped = {{ubl|Miami (FL)|Wisconsin}}
|Week8-1 = Penn State (6–0) (40)
|Week8-1-Color =
|Week8-2 = Pittsburgh (6–0) (2)
|Week8-2-Color =
|Week8-3 = USC (6–1)
|Week8-3-Color = u
|Week8-4 = Clemson (7–0)
|Week8-4-Color = u
|Week8-5 = Georgia (6–1)
|Week8-5-Color = u
|Week8-6 = Texas (5–1)
|Week8-6-Color = u
|Week8-7 = Alabama (6–1–1)
|Week8-7-Color = u
|Week8-8 = Mississippi State (6–1)
|Week8-8-Color = u
|Week8-9 = Nebraska (5–2)
|Week8-9-Color = u
|Week8-10 = Iowa State (5–1–1)
|Week8-10-Color = u
|Week8-11 = North Carolina (6–1)
|Week8-11-Color = d
|Week8-12 = Washington State (6–0–1)
|Week8-12-Color = u
|Week8-13 = Oklahoma (3–2–1)
|Week8-13-Color = u
|Week8-14 = Michigan (5–2)
|Week8-14-Color = u
|Week8-15 = Washington (6–1)
|Week8-15-Color = u
|Week8-16 = Iowa (5–2)
|Week8-16-Color = d
|Week8-17 = Florida State (5–2)
|Week8-17-Color = u
|Week8-18 = Ohio State (5–2)
|Week8-18-Color = npr
|Week8-19 = Miami (FL) (4–2)
|Week8-19-Color = npr
|Week8-20 = Arkansas (5–2)
|Week8-20-Color = d
|Week8Dropped = {{ubl|BYU|Missouri}}
|Week9-1 = Pittsburgh (7–0) (35)
|Week9-1-Color = u
|Week9-2 = USC (7–1) (4)
|Week9-2-Color = u
|Week9-3 = Clemson (8–0) (2)
|Week9-3-Color = u
|Week9-4 = Georgia (7–1) (1)
|Week9-4-Color = u
|Week9-5 = Texas (6–1)
|Week9-5-Color = u
|Week9-6 = Penn State (6–1)
|Week9-6-Color = d
|Week9-7 = Alabama (7–1–1)
|Week9-7-Color =
|Week9-8 = Nebraska (6–2)
|Week9-8-Color = u
|Week9-9 = North Carolina (7–1)
|Week9-9-Color = u
|Week9-10 = Michigan (6–2)
|Week9-10-Color = u
|Week9-11 = Miami (FL) (5–2)
|Week9-11-Color = u
|Week9-12 = Washington (7–1)
|Week9-12-Color = u
|Week9-13 = Oklahoma (4–2–1)
|Week9-13-Color =
|Week9-14 = Florida State (6–2)
|Week9-14-Color = u
|Week9-15 = Mississippi State (6–2)
|Week9-15-Color = d
|Week9-16 = Ohio State (6–2)
|Week9-16-Color = u
|Week9-17 = Arkansas (6–2)
|Week9-17-Color = u
|Week9-18 = Southern Miss (6–0–1)
|Week9-18-Color = npr
|Week9-19 = Washington State (6–1–1)
|Week9-19-Color = d
|Week9-20 = Iowa State (5–2–1)
|Week9-20-Color = d
|Week9Dropped = {{ubl|Iowa}}
|Week10-1 = Pittsburgh (8–0) (38)
|Week10-1-Color =
|Week10-2 = Clemson (9–0) (1)
|Week10-2-Color = u
|Week10-3 = USC (8–1) (3)
|Week10-3-Color = d
|Week10-4 = Georgia (8–1)
|Week10-4-Color =
|Week10-5 = Penn State (7–1)
|Week10-5-Color = u
|Week10-6 = Alabama (7–1–1)
|Week10-6-Color = u
|Week10-7 = Nebraska (7–2)
|Week10-7-Color = u
|Week10-8 = Michigan (7–2)
|Week10-8-Color = u
|Week10-9 = Texas (6–1–1)
|Week10-9-Color = d
|Week10-10 = Southern Miss (7–0–1)
|Week10-10-Color = u
|Week10-11 = Oklahoma (5–2–1)
|Week10-11-Color = u
|Week10-12 = North Carolina (7–2)
|Week10-12-Color = d
|Week10-13 = Arkansas (7–2)
|Week10-13-Color = u
|Week10-14 = UCLA (6–2–1)
|Week10-14-Color = npr
|Week10-15 = Washington State (7–1–1)
|Week10-15-Color = u
|Week10-16 = Hawaii (7–0)
|Week10-16-Color = npr
|Week10-17 = BYU (8–2)
|Week10-17-Color = npr
|Week10-18 = Iowa (6–3)
|Week10-18-Color = npr
|Week10-19 = Florida State (6–3)
|Week10-19-Color = d
|Week10-20 = Minnesota (6–3)
|Week10-20-Color = npr
|Week10Dropped = {{ubl|Miami (FL)|Washington|Mississippi State|Ohio State|Iowa State}}
|Week11-1 = Pittsburgh (9–0) (40)
|Week11-1-Color =
|Week11-2 = Clemson (10–0) (2)
|Week11-2-Color =
|Week11-3 = Georgia (9–1)
|Week11-3-Color = u
|Week11-4 = Alabama (8–1–1)
|Week11-4-Color = u
|Week11-5 = Nebraska (8–2)
|Week11-5-Color = u
|Week11-6 = Michigan (8–2)
|Week11-6-Color = u
|Week11-7 = Texas (7–1–1)
|Week11-7-Color = u
|Week11-8 = Southern Miss (8–0–1)
|Week11-8-Color = u
|Week11-9 = USC (8–2)
|Week11-9-Color = d
|Week11-10 = Arkansas (8–2)
|Week11-10-Color = u
|Week11-11 = North Carolina (8–2)
|Week11-11-Color = u
|Week11-12 = Washington State (8–1–1)
|Week11-12-Color = u
|Week11-13 = UCLA (7–2–1)
|Week11-13-Color = u
|Week11-14 = Penn State (7–2)
|Week11-14-Color = d
|Week11-15 = BYU (9–2)
|Week11-15-Color = u
|Week11-16 = Washington (8–2)
|Week11-16-Color = npr
|Week11-17 = Iowa (7–3)
|Week11-17-Color = u
|Week11-18 = Ohio State (7–3)
|Week11-18-Color = npr
|Week11-19 = West Virginia (8–2)
|Week11-19-Color = npr
|Week11-20 = Missouri (7–3)
|Week11-20-Color = npr
|Week11Dropped = {{ubl|Oklahoma|Hawaii|Florida State|Minnesota}}
|Week12-1 = Pittsburgh (10–0) (39)
|Week12-1-Color =
|Week12-2 = Clemson (11–0) (3)
|Week12-2-Color =
|Week12-3 = Georgia (9–1)
|Week12-3-Color =
|Week12-4 = Alabama (8–1–1)
|Week12-4-Color =
|Week12-5 = Nebraska (9–2)
|Week12-5-Color =
|Week12-6 = Texas (8–1–1)
|Week12-6-Color = u
|Week12-7 = USC (9–2)
|Week12-7-Color = u
|Week12-8 = North Carolina (9–2)
|Week12-8-Color = u
|Week12-9 = Penn State (8–2)
|Week12-9-Color = u
|Week12-10 = Washington (9–2)
|Week12-10-Color = u
|Week12-11 = Iowa (8–3)
|Week12-11-Color = u
|Week12-12 = BYU (10–2)
|Week12-12-Color = u
|Week12-13 = Michigan (8–3)
|Week12-13-Color = d
|Week12-14 = Ohio State (8–3)
|Week12-14-Color = u
|Week12-15 = Southern Miss (8–1–1)
|Week12-15-Color = d
|Week12-16 = UCLA (7–3–1)
|Week12-16-Color = d
|Week12-17 = Arkansas (8–3)
|Week12-17-Color = d
|Week12-18 = Washington State (8–2–1)
|Week12-18-Color = d
|Week12-19 = Houston (6–3–1)
|Week12-19-Color = npr
|Week12-20 = San Jose State (8–2)
|Week12-20-Color = npr
|Week12Dropped = {{ubl|West Virginia|Missouri}}
|Week13-1 = Clemson (11–0)
|Week13-1-Color = u
|Week13-2 = Georgia (10–1)
|Week13-2-Color = u
|Week13-3 = Alabama (9–1–1)
|Week13-3-Color = u
|Week13-4 = Nebraska (9–2)
|Week13-4-Color = u
|Week13-5 = Texas (9–1–1)
|Week13-5-Color = u
|Week13-6 = Penn State (9–2)
|Week13-6-Color = u
|Week13-7 = USC (9–2)
|Week13-7-Color =
|Week13-8 = Pittsburgh (10–1)
|Week13-8-Color = d
|Week13-9 = North Carolina (9–2)
|Week13-9-Color = d
|Week13-10 = Washington (9–2)
|Week13-10-Color =
|Week13-11 = Iowa (8–3)
|Week13-11-Color =
|Week13-12 = BYU (10–2)
|Week13-12-Color =
|Week13-13 = Michigan (8–3)
|Week13-13-Color =
|Week13-14 = Ohio State (8–3)
|Week13-14-Color =
|Week13-15 = Southern Miss (9–1–1)
|Week13-15-Color =
|Week13-16 = UCLA (7–3–1)
|Week13-16-Color =
|Week13-17 = Arkansas (8–3)
|Week13-17-Color =
|Week13-18 = Washington State (8–2–1)
|Week13-18-Color =
|Week13-19 = Houston (7–3–1)
|Week13-19-Color =
|Week13-20 = San Jose State (9–2)
|Week13-20-Color =
|Week13Dropped = {{ubl|}}
|Week14-1 = Clemson (12–0) (35)
|Week14-1-Color = nc
|Week14-2 = Pittsburgh (11–1)
|Week14-2-Color = u
|Week14-3 = Penn State (10–2) (1)
|Week14-3-Color = u
|Week14-4 = Texas (10–1–1) (1)
|Week14-4-Color = u
|Week14-5 = Georgia (10–2)
|Week14-5-Color = d
|Week14-6 = Alabama (9–2–1)
|Week14-6-Color = d
|Week14-7 = Washington (10–2)
|Week14-7-Color = u
|Week14-8 = North Carolina (10–2)
|Week14-8-Color = u
|Week14-9 = Nebraska (9–3)
|Week14-9-Color = d
|Week14-10 = Michigan (9–3)
|Week14-10-Color = u
|Week14-11 = BYU (11–2)
|Week14-11-Color = u
|Week14-12 = Ohio State (9–3)
|Week14-12-Color = u
|Week14-13 = USC (9–3)
|Week14-13-Color = d
|Week14-14 = Oklahoma (7–4–1)
|Week14-14-Color = npr
|Week14-15 = Iowa (8–4)
|Week14-15-Color = d
|Week14-16 = Arkansas (8–4)
|Week14-16-Color = u
|Week14-17 = Mississippi State (8–4)
|Week14-17-Color = npr
|Week14-18 = West Virginia (9–3)
|Week14-18-Color = npr
|Week14-19 = Southern Miss (9–2–1)
|Week14-19-Color = d
|Week14-20 = Missouri (8–4)
|Week14-20-Color = npr
|Week14Dropped = {{ubl|UCLA|Washington State|Houston|San Jose State}}
}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{NCAA football rankings navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1981 NCAA Division I-A Football Rankings}}