1987 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NCAA football rankings
| season = 1987
| image =
| image_caption =
| preseason_number_1 = Oklahoma
| champions = Miami (FL)
| conference =
}}
Two human polls comprised the 1987 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
File:Reagan with Miami Hurricanes football team 1988.jpg holds up a University of Miami jersey presented to him by Miami Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson and the 1987 Miami Hurricanes football team after winning the 1987 NCAA Division I-A national championship]].
| 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
|Week16 = 15 (Final)
|Week1-1 = Oklahoma (55)
|Week1-2 = Nebraska (3)
|Week1-3 = UCLA (1)
|Week1-4 = Ohio State
|Week1-5 = Auburn
|Week1-6 = LSU
|Week1-7 = Michigan
|Week1-8 = Florida State
|Week1-9 = Clemson
|Week1-10 = Miami (FL)
|Week1-11 = Penn State (1)
|Week1-12 = Arkansas
|Week1-13 = Washington
|Week1-14 = Arizona State
|Week1-15 = Texas A&M
|Week1-16 = Iowa
|Week1-17 = Tennessee
|Week1-18 = Notre Dame
|Week1-19 = USC
|Week1-20 = Florida т
Georgia т
|Week2-1 = Oklahoma (1–0) (54)
|Week2-1-Color =
|Week2-2 = Nebraska (1–0) (3)
|Week2-2-Color =
|Week2-3 = UCLA (1–0) (1)
|Week2-3-Color =
|Week2-4 = Auburn (1–0)
|Week2-4-Color = u
|Week2-5 = Ohio State (0–0)
|Week2-5-Color = d
|Week2-6 = LSU (1–0)
|Week2-6-Color =
|Week2-7 = Miami (FL) (1–0)
|Week2-7-Color = u
|Week2-8 = Florida State (1–0)
|Week2-8-Color =
|Week2-9 = Michigan (0–0)
|Week2-9-Color = d
|Week2-10 = Clemson (1–0)
|Week2-10-Color = d
|Week2-11 = Penn State (1–0)
|Week2-11-Color =
|Week2-12 = Washington (1–0)
|Week2-12-Color = u
|Week2-13 = Arkansas (0–0)
|Week2-13-Color = d
|Week2-14 = Tennessee (2–0)
|Week2-14-Color = u
|Week2-15 = Arizona State (0–0)
|Week2-15-Color = d
|Week2-16 = Notre Dame (0–0)
|Week2-16-Color = u
|Week2-17 = Michigan State (1–0)
|Week2-17-Color = npr
|Week2-18 = Pittsburgh (1–0)
|Week2-18-Color = npr
|Week2-19 = Alabama (1–0)
|Week2-19-Color = npr
|Week2-20 = Georgia (1–0)
|Week2-20-Color =
|Week2Dropped = {{ubl|Texas A&M|Iowa|USC|Florida}}
|Week3-1 = Oklahoma (2–0) (54)
|Week3-1-Color =
|Week3-2 = Nebraska (2–0) (6)
|Week3-2-Color =
|Week3-3 = Auburn (2–0)
|Week3-3-Color = u
|Week3-4 = LSU (2–0)
|Week3-4-Color = u
|Week3-5 = Ohio State (1–0)
|Week3-5-Color =
|Week3-6 = Miami (FL) (1–0)
|Week3-6-Color = u
|Week3-7 = Florida State (2–0)
|Week3-7-Color = u
|Week3-8 = Clemson (2–0)
|Week3-8-Color = u
|Week3-9 = Notre Dame (1–0)
|Week3-9-Color = u
|Week3-10 = Washington (2–0)
|Week3-10-Color = u
|Week3-11 = Alabama (2–0)
|Week3-11-Color = u
|Week3-12 = Arkansas (1–0)
|Week3-12-Color = u
|Week3-13 = UCLA (1–1)
|Week3-13-Color = d
|Week3-14 = Tennessee (3–0)
|Week3-14-Color =
|Week3-15 = Arizona State (1–0)
|Week3-15-Color =
|Week3-16 = Pittsburgh (2–0)
|Week3-16-Color = u
|Week3-17 = Michigan State (1–0)
|Week3-17-Color =
|Week3-18 = Georgia (2–0)
|Week3-18-Color = u
|Week3-19 = Michigan (0–1)
|Week3-19-Color = d
|Week3-20 = Penn State (1–1)
|Week3-20-Color = d
|Week3Dropped = {{ubl|}}
|Week4-1 = Oklahoma (2–0) (53)
|Week4-1-Color =
|Week4-2 = Nebraska (2–0) (7)
|Week4-2-Color =
|Week4-3 = Auburn (2–0)
|Week4-3-Color =
|Week4-4 = LSU (3–0)
|Week4-4-Color =
|Week4-5 = Miami (FL) (1–0)
|Week4-5-Color = u
|Week4-6 = Florida State (3–0)
|Week4-6-Color = u
|Week4-7 = Ohio State (2–0)
|Week4-7-Color = d
|Week4-8 = Notre Dame (2–0)
|Week4-8-Color = u
|Week4-9 = Clemson (3–0)
|Week4-9-Color = d
|Week4-10 = Arkansas (2–0)
|Week4-10-Color = u
|Week4-11 = Tennessee (3–0)
|Week4-11-Color = u
|Week4-12 = Arizona State (2–0)
|Week4-12-Color = u
|Week4-13 = UCLA (2–1)
|Week4-13-Color =
|Week4-14 = Michigan (1–1)
|Week4-14-Color = u
|Week4-15 = Penn State (2–1)
|Week4-15-Color = u
|Week4-16 = Texas A&M (1–1)
|Week4-16-Color = npr
|Week4-17 = Alabama (2–1)
|Week4-17-Color = d
|Week4-18 = Washington (2–1)
|Week4-18-Color = d
|Week4-19 = Iowa (2–1)
|Week4-19-Color = npr
|Week4-20 = Georgia (2–1)
|Week4-20-Color = d
|Week4Dropped = {{ubl|Pittsburgh|Michigan State}}
|Week5-1 = Oklahoma (3–0) (44)
|Week5-1-Color =
|Week5-2 = Nebraska (3–0) (12)
|Week5-2-Color =
|Week5-3 = Miami (FL) (2–0) (4)
|Week5-3-Color = u
|Week5-4 = Florida State (4–0)
|Week5-4-Color = u
|Week5-5 = Notre Dame (3–0)
|Week5-5-Color = u
|Week5-6 = Auburn (2–0–1)
|Week5-6-Color = d
|Week5-7 = LSU (3–0–1)
|Week5-7-Color = d
|Week5-8 = Clemson (4–0)
|Week5-8-Color = u
|Week5-9 = Ohio State (2–0–1)
|Week5-9-Color = d
|Week5-10 = Tennessee (3–0–1)
|Week5-10-Color = u
|Week5-11 = UCLA (3–1)
|Week5-11-Color = u
|Week5-12 = Michigan (2–1)
|Week5-12-Color = u
|Week5-13 = Arizona State (2–1)
|Week5-13-Color = d
|Week5-14 = Penn State (3–1)
|Week5-14-Color = u
|Week5-15 = Texas A&M (2–1)
|Week5-15-Color = u
|Week5-16 = Washington (3–1)
|Week5-16-Color = u
|Week5-17 = Alabama (3–1) т
|Week5-17-Color = t
|Week5-18 = Iowa (3–1) т
|Week5-18-Color = u
|Week5-19 = Florida (3–1)
|Week5-19-Color = npr
|Week5-20 = Georgia (3–1)
|Week5-20-Color =
|Week5Dropped = {{ubl|Arkansas}}
|Week6-1 = Oklahoma (4–0) (46)
|Week6-1-Color =
|Week6-2 = Nebraska (4–0) (8)
|Week6-2-Color =
|Week6-3 = Miami (FL) (3–0) (6)
|Week6-3-Color =
|Week6-4 = Notre Dame (3–0)
|Week6-4-Color = u
|Week6-5 = Auburn (3–0–1)
|Week6-5-Color = u
|Week6-6 = Florida State (4–1)
|Week6-6-Color = d
|Week6-7 = LSU (4–0–1)
|Week6-7-Color =
|Week6-8 = Clemson (4–0)
|Week6-8-Color =
|Week6-9 = Ohio State (3–0–1)
|Week6-9-Color =
|Week6-10 = Tennessee (4–0–1)
|Week6-10-Color =
|Week6-11 = UCLA (4–1)
|Week6-11-Color =
|Week6-12 = Michigan (3–1)
|Week6-12-Color =
|Week6-13 = Arizona State (3–1)
|Week6-13-Color =
|Week6-14 = Penn State (4–1)
|Week6-14-Color =
|Week6-15 = Alabama (4–1)
|Week6-15-Color = u
|Week6-16 = Georgia (4–1)
|Week6-16-Color = u
|Week6-17 = Syracuse (5–0)
|Week6-17-Color = npr
|Week6-18 = Florida (3–2)
|Week6-18-Color = u
|Week6-19 = Oklahoma State (4–0)
|Week6-19-Color = npr
|Week6-20 = Arkansas (3–1)
|Week6-20-Color = npr
|Week6Dropped = {{ubl|Texas A&M|Washington|Iowa}}
|Week7-1 = Oklahoma (5–0) (47)
|Week7-1-Color =
|Week7-2 = Nebraska (5–0) (7)
|Week7-2-Color =
|Week7-3 = Miami (FL) (4–0) (6)
|Week7-3-Color =
|Week7-4 = Florida State (5–1)
|Week7-4-Color = u
|Week7-5 = Auburn (4–0–1)
|Week7-5-Color =
|Week7-6 = LSU (5–0–1)
|Week7-6-Color = u
|Week7-7 = Clemson (5–0)
|Week7-7-Color = u
|Week7-8 = Tennessee (4–0–1)
|Week7-8-Color = u
|Week7-9 = UCLA (4–1)
|Week7-9-Color = u
|Week7-10 = Penn State (5–1)
|Week7-10-Color = u
|Week7-11 = Notre Dame (3–1)
|Week7-11-Color = d
|Week7-12 = Oklahoma State (5–0)
|Week7-12-Color = u
|Week7-13 = Syracuse (5–0)
|Week7-13-Color = u
|Week7-14 = Florida (4–2)
|Week7-14-Color = u
|Week7-15 = Arkansas (4–1)
|Week7-15-Color = u
|Week7-16 = Oregon (4–1)
|Week7-16-Color = npr
|Week7-17 = Ohio State (3–1–1)
|Week7-17-Color = d
|Week7-18 = Georgia (4–2)
|Week7-18-Color = d
|Week7-19 = Michigan State (3–2)
|Week7-19-Color = npr
|Week7-20 = Indiana (4–1)
|Week7-20-Color = npr
|Week7Dropped = {{ubl|Michigan|Arizona State|Alabama}}
|Week8-1 = Oklahoma (6–0) (42)
|Week8-1-Color =
|Week8-2 = Nebraska (6–0) (12)
|Week8-2-Color =
|Week8-3 = Miami (FL) (4–0) (6)
|Week8-3-Color =
|Week8-4 = Florida State (6–1)
|Week8-4-Color =
|Week8-5 = LSU (6–0–1)
|Week8-5-Color = u
|Week8-6 = Auburn (5–0–1)
|Week8-6-Color = d
|Week8-7 = Clemson (6–0)
|Week8-7-Color =
|Week8-8 = UCLA (5–1)
|Week8-8-Color = u
|Week8-9 = Syracuse (6–0)
|Week8-9-Color = u
|Week8-10 = Notre Dame (4–1)
|Week8-10-Color = u
|Week8-11 = Florida (5–2)
|Week8-11-Color = u
|Week8-12 = Georgia (5–2)
|Week8-12-Color = u
|Week8-13 = Tennessee (4–1–1)
|Week8-13-Color = d
|Week8-14 = Michigan State (4–2)
|Week8-14-Color = u
|Week8-15 = Indiana (5–1)
|Week8-15-Color = u
|Week8-16 = Ohio State (4–1–1)
|Week8-16-Color = u
|Week8-17 = Alabama (5–2)
|Week8-17-Color = npr
|Week8-18 = Penn State (5–2)
|Week8-18-Color = d
|Week8-19 = Oklahoma State (5–1)
|Week8-19-Color = d
|Week8-20 = Michigan (4–2)
|Week8-20-Color = npr
|Week8Dropped = {{ubl|Arkansas|Oregon}}
|Week9-1 = Oklahoma (7–0) (40)
|Week9-1-Color =
|Week9-2 = Nebraska (7–0) (13)
|Week9-2-Color =
|Week9-3 = Miami (FL) (5–0) (7)
|Week9-3-Color =
|Week9-4 = Florida State (6–1)
|Week9-4-Color =
|Week9-5 = LSU (6–0–1)
|Week9-5-Color =
|Week9-6 = Auburn (6–0–1)
|Week9-6-Color =
|Week9-7 = UCLA (6–1)
|Week9-7-Color = u
|Week9-8 = Syracuse (7–0)
|Week9-8-Color = u
|Week9-9 = Notre Dame (5–1)
|Week9-9-Color = u
|Week9-10 = Florida (5–2)
|Week9-10-Color = u
|Week9-11 = Indiana (6–1)
|Week9-11-Color = u
|Week9-12 = Georgia (6–2)
|Week9-12-Color =
|Week9-13 = Tennessee (5–1–1)
|Week9-13-Color =
|Week9-14 = Clemson (6–1)
|Week9-14-Color = d
|Week9-15 = Ohio State (5–1–1)
|Week9-15-Color = u
|Week9-16 = Alabama (5–2)
|Week9-16-Color = u
|Week9-17 = Oklahoma State (6–1)
|Week9-17-Color = u
|Week9-18 = Penn State (5–2)
|Week9-18-Color =
|Week9-19 = South Carolina (5–2)
|Week9-19-Color = npr
|Week9-20 = Michigan State (4–2–1)
|Week9-20-Color = npr
|Week9Dropped = {{ubl|Michigan}}
|Week10-1 = Oklahoma (8–0) (38)
|Week10-1-Color =
|Week10-2 = Nebraska (8–0) (15)
|Week10-2-Color =
|Week10-3 = Miami (FL) (6–0) (7)
|Week10-3-Color =
|Week10-4 = Florida State (7–1)
|Week10-4-Color =
|Week10-5 = LSU (7–0–1)
|Week10-5-Color =
|Week10-6 = Auburn (7–0–1)
|Week10-6-Color =
|Week10-7 = UCLA (7–1)
|Week10-7-Color =
|Week10-8 = Syracuse (8–0)
|Week10-8-Color =
|Week10-9 = Notre Dame (6–1)
|Week10-9-Color =
|Week10-10 = Clemson (7–1)
|Week10-10-Color = tu
|Week10-11 = Georgia (6–2)
|Week10-11-Color = u
|Week10-12 = Oklahoma State (7–1)
|Week10-12-Color = u
|Week10-13 = Alabama (6–2)
|Week10-13-Color = tu
|Week10-14 = South Carolina (6–2)
|Week10-14-Color = u
|Week10-15 = Michigan State (5–2–1)
|Week10-15-Color = u
|Week10-16 = Penn State (6–2)
|Week10-16-Color =
|Week10-17 = Florida (5–3)
|Week10-17-Color = d
|Week10-18 = Indiana (6–2)
|Week10-18-Color = d
|Week10-19 = Tennessee (5–2–1)
|Week10-19-Color = d
|Week10-20 = Texas A&M (6–2)
|Week10-20-Color = npr
|Week10Dropped = {{ubl|Ohio State}}
|Week11-1 = Oklahoma (9–0) (36)
|Week11-1-Color =
|Week11-2 = Nebraska (9–0) (15)
|Week11-2-Color =
|Week11-3 = Miami (FL) (7–0) (9)
|Week11-3-Color =
|Week11-4 = Florida State (8–1)
|Week11-4-Color =
|Week11-5 = UCLA (8–1)
|Week11-5-Color = u
|Week11-6 = Syracuse (9–0)
|Week11-6-Color = u
|Week11-7 = Notre Dame (7–1)
|Week11-7-Color = u
|Week11-8 = Georgia (7–2)
|Week11-8-Color = u
|Week11-9 = Clemson (8–1)
|Week11-9-Color = u
|Week11-10 = LSU (7–1–1)
|Week11-10-Color = d
|Week11-11 = Alabama (7–2)
|Week11-11-Color = u
|Week11-12 = Auburn (7–1–1)
|Week11-12-Color = d
|Week11-13 = Michigan State (6–2–1)
|Week11-13-Color = u
|Week11-14 = South Carolina (6–2)
|Week11-14-Color = d
|Week11-15 = Penn State (7–2)
|Week11-15-Color = u
|Week11-16 = Indiana (7–2)
|Week11-16-Color = u
|Week11-17 = Oklahoma State (7–2)
|Week11-17-Color = d
|Week11-18 = Tennessee (6–2–1)
|Week11-18-Color = u
|Week11-19 = Texas A&M (6–2)
|Week11-19-Color = u
|Week11-20 = Arkansas (7–2)
|Week11-20-Color = npr
|Week11Dropped = {{ubl|Florida}}
|Week12-1 = Nebraska (9–0) (32)
|Week12-1-Color = u
|Week12-2 = Oklahoma (10–0) (20)
|Week12-2-Color = d
|Week12-3 = Miami (FL) (8–0) (8)
|Week12-3-Color =
|Week12-4 = Florida State (9–1)
|Week12-4-Color =
|Week12-5 = UCLA (9–1)
|Week12-5-Color =
|Week12-6 = Syracuse (10–0)
|Week12-6-Color =
|Week12-7 = Notre Dame (8–1)
|Week12-7-Color =
|Week12-8 = Clemson (9–1)
|Week12-8-Color = u
|Week12-9 = LSU (8–1–1)
|Week12-9-Color = u
|Week12-10 = Auburn (8–1–1)
|Week12-10-Color = u
|Week12-11 = Michigan State (7–2–1)
|Week12-11-Color = u
|Week12-12 = South Carolina (7–2)
|Week12-12-Color = u
|Week12-13 = Oklahoma State (8–2)
|Week12-13-Color = u
|Week12-14 = Georgia (7–3)
|Week12-14-Color = d
|Week12-15 = Tennessee (7–2–1)
|Week12-15-Color = u
|Week12-16 = Texas A&M (7–2)
|Week12-16-Color = u
|Week12-17 = Alabama (7–3)
|Week12-17-Color = d
|Week12-18 = Iowa (8–3)
|Week12-18-Color = npr
|Week12-19 = Pittsburgh (7–3)
|Week12-19-Color = npr
|Week12-20 = Indiana (7–3)
|Week12-20-Color = d
|Week12Dropped = {{ubl|Penn State|Arkansas}}
|Week13-1 = Oklahoma (11–0) (54)
|Week13-1-Color = u
|Week13-2 = Miami (FL) (9–0) (4)
|Week13-2-Color = u
|Week13-3 = Florida State (9–1)
|Week13-3-Color = u
|Week13-4 = Syracuse (11–0) (1)
|Week13-4-Color = u
|Week13-5 = Nebraska (9–1)
|Week13-5-Color = d
|Week13-6 = LSU (9–1–1)
|Week13-6-Color = u
|Week13-7 = Auburn (8–1–1)
|Week13-7-Color = u
|Week13-8 = South Carolina (8–2)
|Week13-8-Color = u
|Week13-9 = Michigan State (8–2–1)
|Week13-9-Color = u
|Week13-10 = Notre Dame (8–2)
|Week13-10-Color = d
|Week13-11 = UCLA (9–2)
|Week13-11-Color = d
|Week13-12 = Oklahoma State (9–2)
|Week13-12-Color = u
|Week13-13 = Clemson (9–2)
|Week13-13-Color = d
|Week13-14 = Georgia (7–3)
|Week13-14-Color =
|Week13-15 = Texas A&M (8–2)
|Week13-15-Color = u
|Week13-16 = Tennessee (8–2–1)
|Week13-16-Color = d
|Week13-17 = USC (8–3)
|Week13-17-Color = npr
|Week13-18 = Alabama (7–3)
|Week13-18-Color = d
|Week13-19 = Iowa (9–3)
|Week13-19-Color = d
|Week13-20 = Pittsburgh (8–3)
|Week13-20-Color = d
|Week13Dropped = {{ubl|Indiana}}
|Week14-1 = Oklahoma (11–0) (48)
|Week14-1-Color =
|Week14-2 = Miami (FL) (10–0) (6)
|Week14-2-Color =
|Week14-3 = Florida State (10–1)
|Week14-3-Color =
|Week14-4 = Syracuse (11–0) (1)
|Week14-4-Color =
|Week14-5 = Nebraska (10–1)
|Week14-5-Color =
|Week14-6 = Auburn (9–1–1)
|Week14-6-Color = u
|Week14-7 = LSU (9–1–1)
|Week14-7-Color = d
|Week14-8 = South Carolina (8–2)
|Week14-8-Color =
|Week14-9 = Michigan State (8–2–1)
|Week14-9-Color =
|Week14-10 = UCLA (9–2)
|Week14-10-Color = u
|Week14-11 = Oklahoma State (9–2)
|Week14-11-Color = u
|Week14-12 = Notre Dame (8–3)
|Week14-12-Color = d
|Week14-13 = Clemson (9–2)
|Week14-13-Color =
|Week14-14 = Georgia (8–3)
|Week14-14-Color =
|Week14-15 = Texas A&M (9–2)
|Week14-15-Color =
|Week14-16 = Tennessee (9–2–1)
|Week14-16-Color =
|Week14-17 = USC (8–3)
|Week14-17-Color =
|Week14-18 = Iowa (9–3)
|Week14-18-Color = u
|Week14-19 = Pittsburgh (8–3)
|Week14-19-Color = u
|Week14-20 = Penn State (8–3)
|Week14-20-Color = npr
|Week14Dropped = {{ubl|Alabama}}
|Week15-1 = Oklahoma (11–0) (47)
|Week15-1-Color =
|Week15-2 = Miami (FL) (11–0) (9)
|Week15-2-Color =
|Week15-3 = Florida State (10–1)
|Week15-3-Color =
|Week15-4 = Syracuse (11–0) (1)
|Week15-4-Color =
|Week15-5 = Nebraska (10–1)
|Week15-5-Color =
|Week15-6 = Auburn (9–1–1)
|Week15-6-Color =
|Week15-7 = LSU (9–1–1)
|Week15-7-Color =
|Week15-8 = Michigan State (8–2–1)
|Week15-8-Color = u
|Week15-9 = South Carolina (8–3)
|Week15-9-Color = d
|Week15-10 = UCLA (9–2)
|Week15-10-Color =
|Week15-11 = Oklahoma State (9–2)
|Week15-11-Color =
|Week15-12 = Notre Dame (8–3)
|Week15-12-Color =
|Week15-13 = Texas A&M (9–2)
|Week15-13-Color = u
|Week15-14 = Clemson (9–2)
|Week15-14-Color = d
|Week15-15 = Georgia (8–3)
|Week15-15-Color = d
|Week15-16 = USC (8–3)
|Week15-16-Color = u
|Week15-17 = Tennessee (9–2–1)
|Week15-17-Color = d
|Week15-18 = Iowa (9–3)
|Week15-18-Color =
|Week15-19 = Pittsburgh (8–3)
|Week15-19-Color =
|Week15-20 = Penn State (8–3)
|Week15-20-Color =
|Week15Dropped = {{ubl|}}
|Week16-1 = Miami (FL) (12–0) (57)
|Week16-1-Color = nc
|Week16-2 = Florida State (11–1)
|Week16-2-Color = u
|Week16-3 = Oklahoma (11–1)
|Week16-3-Color = d
|Week16-4 = Syracuse (11–0–1)
|Week16-4-Color =
|Week16-5 = LSU (10–1–1)
|Week16-5-Color = u
|Week16-6 = Nebraska (10–2)
|Week16-6-Color = d
|Week16-7 = Auburn (9–1–2)
|Week16-7-Color = d
|Week16-8 = Michigan State (9–2–1)
|Week16-8-Color =
|Week16-9 = UCLA (10–2)
|Week16-9-Color = u
|Week16-10 = Texas A&M (10–2)
|Week16-10-Color = u
|Week16-11 = Oklahoma State (10–2)
|Week16-11-Color =
|Week16-12 = Clemson (10–2)
|Week16-12-Color = u
|Week16-13 = Georgia (9–3)
|Week16-13-Color = u
|Week16-14 = Tennessee (10–2–1)
|Week16-14-Color = u
|Week16-15 = South Carolina (8–4)
|Week16-15-Color = d
|Week16-16 = Iowa (10–3)
|Week16-16-Color = u
|Week16-17 = Notre Dame (8–4)
|Week16-17-Color = d
|Week16-18 = USC (8–4)
|Week16-18-Color = d
|Week16-19 = Michigan (8–4)
|Week16-19-Color = npr
|Week16-20 = Arizona State (7–4–1)
|Week16-20-Color = npr
|Week16Dropped = {{ubl|Pittsburgh|Penn State}}
}}
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
|Week15 = 14
|Week16 = 15 (Final)
|Week2Date =Sep 8{{cite news |date=September 8, 1987 |title=Michigan drops to 8th in UPI Poll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99910859/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |access-date=January 3, 2017 }}
|Week5Date =Sep 29{{cite news |date=September 29, 1987 |title=Miami, Florida St., Irish move up |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99709397/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |access-date=January 3, 2017 }}
|Week7Date =Oct 13{{cite news |date=October 14, 1987 |title=UPI Coaches Poll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/106893686/ |newspaper=Indianapolis Star |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week8Date =Oct 20{{cite news |date=October 21, 1987 |title=UPI COACHES TOP 20 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/121051630/ |newspaper=Arizona Republic |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week10Date=Nov 3{{cite news |date=November 4, 1987 |title=UPI COACHES TOP 20 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/121090047/ |newspaper=Arizona Republic |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week11Date=Nov 10{{cite news |date=November 10, 1987 |title=UPI Top 20 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99925110/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week12Date=Nov 17{{cite news |date=November 18, 1987 |title=UPI Top 20 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99783168/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |access-date=January 28, 2017 }}
|Week13Date=Nov 24{{cite news |date=November 24, 1987 |title=MSU 8th; six on Big Ten teams |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99936808/ |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |access-date=January 5, 2017 }}
|Week15Date=Dec 8{{cite news |date=December 8, 1987 |title=UPI COACHES TOP 20 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/122102702/ |newspaper=Arizona Republic |access-date=January 5, 2017 }}
|Week16Date=Jan 3{{cite news |date=January 4, 1988 |title=Miami, Florida State finish 1–2 in polls; MSU stays eighth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/99763554/ |newspaper=Detroit Free-Press |access-date=January 3, 2017 }}
|Week1-1 = Oklahoma
|Week1-2 = Nebraska
|Week1-3 = Ohio State
|Week1-4 = UCLA
|Week1-5 = Auburn
|Week1-6 = Michigan
|Week1-7 = Penn State
|Week1-8 = Arizona State
|Week1-9 = Miami (FL)
|Week1-10 = Texas A&M т
|Week1-10-Color = t
|Week1-11 = LSU т
|Week1-12 = Arkansas
|Week1-13 = Clemson
|Week1-14 = Florida State
|Week1-15 = Washington
|Week1-16 = Notre Dame
|Week1-17 = Tennessee
|Week1-18 = Iowa
|Week1-19 = Alabama
|Week1-20 = Florida
|Week2-1 = Oklahoma (1–0) (44)
|Week2-1-Color =
|Week2-2 = Nebraska (1–0) (1)
|Week2-2-Color =
|Week2-3 = UCLA (1–0) (1)
|Week2-3-Color = u
|Week2-4 = Auburn (1–0)
|Week2-4-Color = u
|Week2-5 = Ohio State (0–0) (1)
|Week2-5-Color = d
|Week2-6 = LSU (1–0) (1)
|Week2-6-Color = u
|Week2-7 = Miami (FL) (1–0) (1)
|Week2-7-Color = u
|Week2-8 = Michigan (0–0)
|Week2-8-Color = d
|Week2-9 = Penn State (1–0) (1)
|Week2-9-Color = d
|Week2-10 = Clemson (1–0)
|Week2-10-Color = u
|Week2-11 = Florida State (1–0)
|Week2-11-Color = u
|Week2-12 = Arkansas (0–0)
|Week2-12-Color =
|Week2-13 = Washington (1–0)
|Week2-13-Color = u
|Week2-14 = Arizona State (0–0)
|Week2-14-Color = d
|Week2-15 = Tennessee (2–0)
|Week2-15-Color = u
|Week2-16 = Notre Dame (0–0)
|Week2-16-Color =
|Week2-17 = Alabama (1–0)
|Week2-17-Color = u
|Week2-18 = Pittsburgh (1–0)
|Week2-18-Color = npr
|Week2-19 = North Carolina (1–0)
|Week2-19-Color = npr
|Week2-20 = USC (0–0)
|Week2-20-Color = npr
|Week2Dropped = {{ubl|Texas A&M|Iowa|Florida}}
|Week3-1 = Oklahoma (2–0) (45)
|Week3-1-Color =
|Week3-2 = Nebraska (2–0) (5)
|Week3-2-Color =
|Week3-3 = Auburn (2–0)
|Week3-3-Color = u
|Week3-4 = Ohio State (1–0)
|Week3-4-Color = u
|Week3-5 = LSU (2–0)
|Week3-5-Color = u
|Week3-6 = Miami (FL) (1–0)
|Week3-6-Color = u
|Week3-7 = Florida State (2–0)
|Week3-7-Color = u
|Week3-8 = Clemson (2–0)
|Week3-8-Color = u
|Week3-9 = Notre Dame (1–0)
|Week3-9-Color = u
|Week3-10 = Alabama (2–0)
|Week3-10-Color = u
|Week3-11 = Arkansas (1–0)
|Week3-11-Color = u
|Week3-12 = Washington (2–0)
|Week3-12-Color = u
|Week3-13 = Tennessee (3–0)
|Week3-13-Color = u
|Week3-14 = Arizona State (1–0) т
|Week3-14-Color = t
|Week3-15 = UCLA (1–1) т
|Week3-15-Color = d
|Week3-16 = Pittsburgh (2–0)
|Week3-16-Color = u
|Week3-17 = Georgia (2–0)
|Week3-17-Color = npr
|Week3-18 = Michigan State (1–0)
|Week3-18-Color = npr
|Week3-19 = Boston College (2–0)
|Week3-19-Color = npr
|Week3-20 = Penn State (1–1)
|Week3-20-Color = d
|Week3Dropped = {{ubl|Michigan|North Carolina|USC}}
|Week4-1 = Oklahoma (2–0) (45)
|Week4-1-Color =
|Week4-2 = Nebraska (2–0) (4)
|Week4-2-Color =
|Week4-3 = Auburn (2–0)
|Week4-3-Color =
|Week4-4 = LSU (3–0)
|Week4-4-Color = u
|Week4-5 = Ohio State (2–0)
|Week4-5-Color = d
|Week4-6 = Notre Dame (2–0)
|Week4-6-Color = u
|Week4-7 = Miami (FL) (1–0) (1)
|Week4-7-Color = d
|Week4-8 = Florida State (3–0)
|Week4-8-Color = d
|Week4-9 = Clemson (3–0)
|Week4-9-Color = d
|Week4-10 = Arkansas (2–0)
|Week4-10-Color = u
|Week4-11 = Tennessee (3–0)
|Week4-11-Color = u
|Week4-12 = Arizona State (2–0)
|Week4-12-Color = u
|Week4-13 = UCLA (2–1)
|Week4-13-Color = u
|Week4-14 = Penn State (2–1)
|Week4-14-Color = u
|Week4-15 = Florida (2–1)
|Week4-15-Color = npr
|Week4-16 = Michigan (1–1)
|Week4-16-Color = npr
|Week4-17 = Texas A&M (1–1)
|Week4-17-Color = npr
|Week4-18 = Syracuse (3–0)
|Week4-18-Color = npr
|Week4-19 = Georgia (2–1)
|Week4-19-Color = d
|Week4-20 = Washington (2–1)
|Week4-20-Color = d
|Week4Dropped = {{ubl|Alabama|Pittsburgh|Michigan State|Boston College}}
|Week5-1 = Oklahoma (3–0) (46)
|Week5-1-Color =
|Week5-2 = Nebraska (3–0) (3)
|Week5-2-Color =
|Week5-3 = Miami (FL) (2–0) (1)
|Week5-3-Color = u
|Week5-4 = Florida State (4–0)
|Week5-4-Color = u
|Week5-5 = Notre Dame (3–0)
|Week5-5-Color = u
|Week5-6 = Auburn (2–0–1)
|Week5-6-Color = d
|Week5-7 = Clemson (4–0)
|Week5-7-Color = u
|Week5-8 = LSU (3–0–1)
|Week5-8-Color = d
|Week5-9 = Ohio State (2–0–1)
|Week5-9-Color = d
|Week5-10 = Tennessee (3–0)
|Week5-10-Color = u
|Week5-11 = UCLA (3–1)
|Week5-11-Color = u
|Week5-12 = Penn State (3–1)
|Week5-12-Color = u
|Week5-13 = Arizona State (2–1)
|Week5-13-Color = d
|Week5-14 = Michigan (2–1)
|Week5-14-Color = u
|Week5-15 = Georgia (3–1)
|Week5-15-Color = u
|Week5-16 = Washington (3–1)
|Week5-16-Color = u
|Week5-17 = Syracuse (4–0)
|Week5-17-Color = u
|Week5-18 = Florida (3–1)
|Week5-18-Color = d
|Week5-19 = Alabama (3–1)
|Week5-19-Color = npr
|Week5-20 = {{ubl|Oklahoma State (4–0) т|Texas A&M (2–1) т|item1_style=background-color:#FFFFE6}}
|Week5-20-Color = d
|Week5Dropped = {{ubl|Arkansas}}
|Week6-1 = Oklahoma (4–0) (45)
|Week6-1-Color =
|Week6-2 = Nebraska (4–0) (1)
|Week6-2-Color =
|Week6-3 = Miami (FL) (3–0) (4)
|Week6-3-Color =
|Week6-4 = Notre Dame (3–0)
|Week6-4-Color = u
|Week6-5 = Auburn (3–0–1)
|Week6-5-Color = u
|Week6-6 = LSU (4–0–1)
|Week6-6-Color = u
|Week6-7 = Clemson (4–0)
|Week6-7-Color = u
|Week6-8 = Florida State (4–1)
|Week6-8-Color = d
|Week6-9 = Ohio State (3–0–1)
|Week6-9-Color =
|Week6-10 = Tennessee (4–0–1)
|Week6-10-Color =
|Week6-11 = UCLA (4–1)
|Week6-11-Color =
|Week6-12 = Michigan (3–1)
|Week6-12-Color = u
|Week6-13 = Arizona State (3–1)
|Week6-13-Color =
|Week6-14 = Penn State (4–1)
|Week6-14-Color = d
|Week6-15 = Georgia (4–1)
|Week6-15-Color =
|Week6-16 = Syracuse (5–0)
|Week6-16-Color = u
|Week6-17 = Alabama (4–1)
|Week6-17-Color = u
|Week6-18 = Oklahoma State (4–0)
|Week6-18-Color = u
|Week6-19 = Florida (3–2)
|Week6-19-Color = d
|Week6-20 = USC (3–1)
|Week6-20-Color = npr
|Week6Dropped = {{ubl|Washington|Texas A&M}}
|Week7-1 = Oklahoma (5–0) (43)
|Week7-1-Color =
|Week7-2 = Nebraska (5–0) (2)
|Week7-2-Color =
|Week7-3 = Miami (FL) (4–0) (5)
|Week7-3-Color =
|Week7-4 = Auburn (4–0–1)
|Week7-4-Color = u
|Week7-5 = LSU (5–0–1)
|Week7-5-Color = u
|Week7-6 = Clemson (5–0)
|Week7-6-Color = u
|Week7-7 = Florida State (5–1)
|Week7-7-Color = u
|Week7-8 = Tennessee (4–0–1)
|Week7-8-Color = u
|Week7-9 = UCLA (4–1)
|Week7-9-Color = u
|Week7-10 = Penn State (5–1)
|Week7-10-Color = u
|Week7-11 = Syracuse (5–0)
|Week7-11-Color = u
|Week7-12 = Oklahoma State (5–0)
|Week7-12-Color = u
|Week7-13 = Notre Dame (3–1)
|Week7-13-Color = d
|Week7-14 = Florida (4–2)
|Week7-14-Color = u
|Week7-15 = Arkansas (4–1)
|Week7-15-Color = npr
|Week7-16 = Ohio State (3–1–1)
|Week7-16-Color = d
|Week7-17 = Georgia (4–2)
|Week7-17-Color = d
|Week7-18 = Oregon (4–1)
|Week7-18-Color = npr
|Week7-19 = Minnesota (5–0)
|Week7-19-Color = npr
|Week7-20 = Michigan State (3–2)
|Week7-20-Color = npr
|Week7Dropped = {{ubl|Michigan|Arizona State|Alabama|USC}}
|Week8-1 = Oklahoma (6–0) (45)
|Week8-1-Color =
|Week8-2 = Nebraska (6–0) (3)
|Week8-2-Color =
|Week8-3 = Miami (FL) (4–0) (2)
|Week8-3-Color =
|Week8-4 = LSU (6–0–1)
|Week8-4-Color = u
|Week8-5 = Florida State (6–1)
|Week8-5-Color = u
|Week8-6 = Auburn (5–0–1)
|Week8-6-Color = d
|Week8-7 = Clemson (6–0)
|Week8-7-Color = d
|Week8-8 = UCLA (5–1)
|Week8-8-Color = u
|Week8-9 = Syracuse (6–0)
|Week8-9-Color = u
|Week8-10 = Notre Dame (4–1)
|Week8-10-Color = u
|Week8-11 = Florida (5–2)
|Week8-11-Color = u
|Week8-12 = Indiana (5–1)
|Week8-12-Color = npr
|Week8-13 = Georgia (5–2)
|Week8-13-Color = u
|Week8-14 = Ohio State (4–1–1)
|Week8-14-Color = u
|Week8-15 = Michigan State (4–2)
|Week8-15-Color = u
|Week8-16 = Tennessee (4–1–1)
|Week8-16-Color = d
|Week8-17 = Michigan (4–2)
|Week8-17-Color = npr
|Week8-18 = Alabama (5–2)
|Week8-18-Color = npr
|Week8-19 = Oklahoma State (5–1)
|Week8-19-Color = d
|Week8-20 = South Carolina (4–2)
|Week8-20-Color = npr
|Week8Dropped = {{ubl|Penn State|Arkansas|Oregon|Minnesota}}
|Week9-1 = Oklahoma (7–0) (43)
|Week9-1-Color =
|Week9-2 = Nebraska (7–0) (6)
|Week9-2-Color =
|Week9-3 = Miami (FL) (5–0) (1)
|Week9-3-Color =
|Week9-4 = LSU (6–0–1)
|Week9-4-Color =
|Week9-5 = Florida State (6–1)
|Week9-5-Color =
|Week9-6 = Auburn (6–0–1)
|Week9-6-Color =
|Week9-7 = UCLA (6–1)
|Week9-7-Color = u
|Week9-8 = Syracuse (7–0)
|Week9-8-Color = u
|Week9-9 = Notre Dame (5–1)
|Week9-9-Color = u
|Week9-10 = Indiana (6–1)
|Week9-10-Color = u
|Week9-11 = Florida (5–2)
|Week9-11-Color =
|Week9-12 = Clemson (6–1)
|Week9-12-Color = d
|Week9-13 = Tennessee (5–1–1)
|Week9-13-Color = u
|Week9-14 = Georgia (6–2)
|Week9-14-Color = d
|Week9-15 = Ohio State (5–1–1)
|Week9-15-Color = d
|Week9-16 = Oklahoma State (6–1)
|Week9-16-Color = u
|Week9-17 = Alabama (5–2)
|Week9-17-Color = u
|Week9-18 = Michigan State (4–2–1)
|Week9-18-Color = d
|Week9-19 = South Carolina (5–2)
|Week9-19-Color = u
|Week9-20 = Arkansas (5–2)
|Week9-20-Color = npr
|Week9Dropped = {{ubl|Michigan}}
|Week10-1 = Oklahoma (8–0) (43)
|Week10-1-Color =
|Week10-2 = Nebraska (8–0) (5)
|Week10-2-Color =
|Week10-3 = Miami (FL) (6–0) (1)
|Week10-3-Color =
|Week10-4 = Florida State (7–1)
|Week10-4-Color = u
|Week10-5 = LSU (7–0–1)
|Week10-5-Color = d
|Week10-6 = Auburn (7–0–1)
|Week10-6-Color =
|Week10-7 = UCLA (7–1)
|Week10-7-Color =
|Week10-8 = Syracuse (8–0) (1)
|Week10-8-Color =
|Week10-9 = Notre Dame (6–1)
|Week10-9-Color =
|Week10-10 = Clemson (7–1)
|Week10-10-Color = u
|Week10-11 = Georgia (6–2)
|Week10-11-Color = u
|Week10-12 = Oklahoma State (7–1)
|Week10-12-Color = u
|Week10-13 = Michigan State (5–2–1)
|Week10-13-Color = u
|Week10-14 = South Carolina (6–2)
|Week10-14-Color = u
|Week10-15 = Alabama (6–2)
|Week10-15-Color = u
|Week10-16 = Penn State (6–2)
|Week10-16-Color = npr
|Week10-17 = Indiana (6–2)
|Week10-17-Color = d
|Week10-18 = Florida (5–3)
|Week10-18-Color = d
|Week10-19 = Arkansas (6–2)
|Week10-19-Color = u
|Week10-20 = Tennessee (5–2–1)
|Week10-20-Color = d
|Week10Dropped = {{ubl|Ohio State}}
|Week11-1 = Oklahoma (9–0) (38)
|Week11-1-Color =
|Week11-2 = Nebraska (9–0) (10)
|Week11-2-Color =
|Week11-3 = Miami (FL) (7–0) (1)
|Week11-3-Color =
|Week11-4 = Florida State (8–1)
|Week11-4-Color =
|Week11-5 = UCLA (8–1)
|Week11-5-Color = u
|Week11-6 = Syracuse (9–0)
|Week11-6-Color = u
|Week11-7 = Notre Dame (7–1)
|Week11-7-Color = u
|Week11-8 = Georgia (7–2)
|Week11-8-Color = u
|Week11-9 = Clemson (8–1)
|Week11-9-Color = u
|Week11-10 = Alabama (7–2)
|Week11-10-Color = u
|Week11-11 = LSU (7–1–1)
|Week11-11-Color = d
|Week11-12 = Auburn (7–1–1)
|Week11-12-Color = d
|Week11-13 = Michigan State (6–2–1)
|Week11-13-Color = u
|Week11-14 = South Carolina (6–2)
|Week11-14-Color =
|Week11-15 = Indiana (7–2)
|Week11-15-Color = u
|Week11-16 = Penn State (7–2)
|Week11-16-Color =
|Week11-17 = Oklahoma State (7–2)
|Week11-17-Color = d
|Week11-18 = Arkansas (7–2)
|Week11-18-Color = u
|Week11-19 = Tennessee (6–2–1)
|Week11-19-Color = u
|Week11-20 = Texas A&M (6–2)
|Week11-20-Color = npr
|Week11Dropped = {{ubl|Florida}}
|Week12-1 = Nebraska (9–0) (21)
|Week12-1-Color = u
|Week12-2 = Oklahoma (10–0) (27)
|Week12-2-Color = d
|Week12-3 = Miami (FL) (8–0) (1)
|Week12-3-Color =
|Week12-4 = Florida State (9–1)
|Week12-4-Color =
|Week12-5 = UCLA (9–1)
|Week12-5-Color =
|Week12-6 = Syracuse (10–0) (1)
|Week12-6-Color =
|Week12-7 = Notre Dame (8–1)
|Week12-7-Color =
|Week12-8 = Clemson (9–1)
|Week12-8-Color = u
|Week12-9 = Auburn (8–1–1)
|Week12-9-Color = u
|Week12-10 = LSU (8–1–1)
|Week12-10-Color = u
|Week12-11 = Michigan State (7–2–1)
|Week12-11-Color = u
|Week12-12 = South Carolina (7–2)
|Week12-12-Color = u
|Week12-13 = Oklahoma State (8–2)
|Week12-13-Color = u
|Week12-14 = Texas A&M (7–2)
|Week12-14-Color = u
|Week12-15 = Tennessee (7–2–1)
|Week12-15-Color = u
|Week12-16 = Georgia (7–3)
|Week12-16-Color = d
|Week12-17 = Pittsburgh (7–3)
|Week12-17-Color = npr
|Week12-18 = USC (7–3)
|Week12-18-Color = npr
|Week12-19 = Alabama (7–3)
|Week12-19-Color = d
|Week12-20 = Iowa (8–3)
|Week12-20-Color = npr
|Week12Dropped = {{ubl|Indiana|Penn State|Arkansas}}
|Week13-1 = Oklahoma (11–0) (48)
|Week13-1-Color = u
|Week13-2 = Miami (FL) (9–0) (2)
|Week13-2-Color = u
|Week13-3 = Florida State (9–1)
|Week13-3-Color = u
|Week13-4 = Syracuse (11–0)
|Week13-4-Color = u
|Week13-5 = Nebraska (9–1)
|Week13-5-Color = d
|Week13-6 = Auburn (8–1–1)
|Week13-6-Color = u
|Week13-7 = LSU (9–1–1)
|Week13-7-Color = u
|Week13-8 = Michigan State (8–2–1)
|Week13-8-Color = u
|Week13-9 = South Carolina (8–2)
|Week13-9-Color = u
|Week13-10 = UCLA (9–2)
|Week13-10-Color = d
|Week13-11 = Notre Dame (8–2)
|Week13-11-Color = d
|Week13-12 = Oklahoma State (9–2)
|Week13-12-Color = u
|Week13-13 = Clemson (9–2)
|Week13-13-Color = d
|Week13-14 = USC (8–3)
|Week13-14-Color = u
|Week13-15 = Texas A&M (8–2)
|Week13-15-Color = d
|Week13-16 = Tennessee (8–2–1)
|Week13-16-Color = d
|Week13-17 = Georgia (7–3)
|Week13-17-Color = d
|Week13-18 = Penn State (8–3)
|Week13-18-Color = npr
|Week13-19 = Pittsburgh (8–3)
|Week13-19-Color = d
|Week13-20 = Indiana (8–3)
|Week13-20-Color = npr
|Week13Dropped = {{ubl|Alabama|Iowa}}
|Week14-1 = Oklahoma (11–0) (41)
|Week14-1-Color =
|Week14-2 = Miami (FL) (10–0) (5)
|Week14-2-Color =
|Week14-3 = Florida State (10–1)
|Week14-3-Color =
|Week14-4 = Syracuse (11–0)
|Week14-4-Color =
|Week14-5 = Nebraska (10–1)
|Week14-5-Color =
|Week14-6 = Auburn (9–1–1)
|Week14-6-Color =
|Week14-7 = LSU (9–1–1)
|Week14-7-Color =
|Week14-8 = Michigan State (8–2–1)
|Week14-8-Color =
|Week14-9 = South Carolina (8–2)
|Week14-9-Color =
|Week14-10 = Oklahoma State (9–2)
|Week14-10-Color = u
|Week14-11 = UCLA (9–2)
|Week14-11-Color = d
|Week14-12 = Texas A&M (9–2)
|Week14-12-Color = u
|Week14-13 = Clemson (9–2)
|Week14-13-Color =
|Week14-14 = Georgia (8–3)
|Week14-14-Color = u
|Week14-15 = Notre Dame (8–3)
|Week14-15-Color = d
|Week14-16 = USC (8–3)
|Week14-16-Color = d
|Week14-17 = Tennessee (9–2–1)
|Week14-17-Color = d
|Week14-18 = Pittsburgh (8–3)
|Week14-18-Color = u
|Week14-19 = Penn State (8–3)
|Week14-19-Color = d
|Week14-20 = {{ubl|Indiana (8–3)|Iowa (9–3)|item1_style=background-color:#FFFFFF}}
|Week14-20-Color = npr
|Week14Dropped = {{ubl|}}
|Week15-1 = Oklahoma (11–0) (41)
|Week15-1-Color =
|Week15-2 = Miami (FL) (11–0) (8)
|Week15-2-Color =
|Week15-3 = Florida State (10–1)
|Week15-3-Color =
|Week15-4 = Syracuse (11–0) (1)
|Week15-4-Color =
|Week15-5 = Nebraska (10–1)
|Week15-5-Color =
|Week15-6 = Auburn (9–1–1)
|Week15-6-Color =
|Week15-7 = LSU (9–1–1)
|Week15-7-Color =
|Week15-8 = Michigan State (8–2–1)
|Week15-8-Color =
|Week15-9 = South Carolina (8–3)
|Week15-9-Color =
|Week15-10 = UCLA (9–2)
|Week15-10-Color = u
|Week15-11 = Oklahoma State (9–2)
|Week15-11-Color = d
|Week15-12 = Clemson (9–2)
|Week15-12-Color = u
|Week15-13 = Texas A&M (9–2)
|Week15-13-Color = d
|Week15-14 = Notre Dame (8–3)
|Week15-14-Color = u
|Week15-15 = Georgia (8–3)
|Week15-15-Color = d
|Week15-16 = Tennessee (9–2–1)
|Week15-16-Color = u
|Week15-17 = USC (8–3)
|Week15-17-Color = d
|Week15-18 = Pittsburgh (8–3)
|Week15-18-Color =
|Week15-19 = Penn State (8–3)
|Week15-19-Color =
|Week15-20 = Indiana (8–3)
|Week15-20-Color =
|Week15Dropped = {{ubl|Iowa}}
|Week16-1 = Miami (FL) (12–0) (47)
|Week16-1-Color = nc
|Week16-2 = Florida State (11–1)
|Week16-2-Color = u
|Week16-3 = Oklahoma (11–1)
|Week16-3-Color = d
|Week16-4 = Syracuse (11–0–1)
|Week16-4-Color =
|Week16-5 = LSU (10–1–1)
|Week16-5-Color = u
|Week16-6 = Nebraska (10–2)
|Week16-6-Color = d
|Week16-7 = Auburn (9–1–2)
|Week16-7-Color = d
|Week16-8 = Michigan State (9–2–1)
|Week16-8-Color =
|Week16-9 = Texas A&M (10–2)
|Week16-9-Color = u
|Week16-10 = Clemson (10–2)
|Week16-10-Color = u
|Week16-11 = UCLA (10–2)
|Week16-11-Color = d
|Week16-12 = Oklahoma State (10–2)
|Week16-12-Color = d
|Week16-13 = Tennessee (10–2–1)
|Week16-13-Color = u
|Week16-14 = Georgia (9–3)
|Week16-14-Color = u
|Week16-15 = South Carolina (8–4)
|Week16-15-Color = d
|Week16-16 = Iowa (10–3)
|Week16-16-Color = npr
|Week16-17 = USC (8–4)
|Week16-17-Color =
|Week16-18 = Michigan (8–4)
|Week16-18-Color = npr
|Week16-19 = Texas (7–5)
|Week16-19-Color = npr
|Week16-20 = Indiana (8–4)
|Week16-20-Color =
|Week16Dropped = {{ubl|Notre Dame|Pittsburgh|Penn State}}
}}
USA Today / CNN Top 25
{{main|USA Today / CNN Top 25}}
{{clear right}}
{{ColPollTable
|Week1 = Final
|Week1Date = January 4, 1988{{cite news |last=Brewington |first=Peter |date=January 4, 1988 |title=Miami comfortable on throne once more |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/305994260 |url-access=subscription |work=USA TODAY |access-date=May 6, 2024 |id={{ProQuest|305994260}} |quote=The Hurricanes, who defeated Oklahoma 20-14 in Friday's Orange Bowl, earned all but one first-place vote and 799 of a possible 800 points to finish No. 1 in the final USA TODAY Cable News Network Top 25 poll. [...] Florida State (11-1) received one first-place vote and was No. 2 in each poll.}}
|Week1-1 = Miami (FL) (12–0) (799)
|Week1-2 = Florida State (11–1) (1)
|Week1-3 = Oklahoma (11–1)
|Week1-4 = Syracuse (11–0–1)
|Week1-5 = Nebraska (10–2)
}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
{{NCAA football rankings navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1987 NCAA Division I-A Football Rankings}}