AP Polls
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Final | 1 | Alabama (12-1) | 2 | 1 | 55 | SEC (West) |
| 16 | Final | 2 | LSU (13-1) | 1 | 1 | 1 | SEC (West) |
| 16 | Final | 3 | Oklahoma State (12-1) | 3 | 4 | Big 12 | |
| 16 | Final | 4 | Oregon (12-2) | 6 | 2 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 16 | Final | 5 | Arkansas (11-2) | 7 | 2 | SEC (West) | |
| 16 | Final | 6 | USC (10-2) | 5 | 1 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 16 | Final | 7 | Stanford (11-2) | 4 | 3 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 16 | Final | 8 | Boise State (12-1) | 8 | MWC | ||
| 16 | Final | 9 | South Carolina (11-2) | 10 | 1 | SEC (East) | |
| 16 | Final | 10 | Wisconsin (11-3) | 9 | 1 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 16 | Final | 11 | Michigan State (11-3) | 12 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 16 | Final | 12 | Michigan (11-2) | 13 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 16 | Final | 13 | Baylor (10-3) | 15 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 16 | Final | 14 | Texas Christian (11-2) | 16 | 2 | MWC | |
| 16 | Final | 15 | Kansas State (10-3) | 11 | 4 | Big 12 | |
| 16 | Final | 16 | Oklahoma (10-3) | 19 | 3 | Big 12 | |
| 16 | Final | 17 | West Virginia (10-3) | 23 | 6 | Big East | |
| 16 | Final | 18 | Houston (13-1) | 20 | 2 | CUSA (West) | |
| 16 | Final | 19 | Georgia (10-4) | 18 | 1 | SEC (East) | |
| 16 | Final | 20 | Southern Mississippi (12-2) | 22 | 2 | CUSA (East) | |
| 16 | Final | 21 | Virginia Tech (11-3) | 17 | 4 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 16 | Final | 22 | Clemson (10-4) | 14 | 8 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 16 | Final | 23 | Florida State (9-4) | 25 | 2 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 16 | Final | 24 | Nebraska (9-4) | 21 | 3 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 16 | Final | 25 | Cincinnati (10-3) | Big East | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 1 | LSU (13-0) | 1 | 60 | SEC (West) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 2 | Alabama (11-1) | 2 | SEC (West) | ||
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 3 | Oklahoma State (11-1) | 3 | Big 12 | ||
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 4 | Stanford (11-1) | 4 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 5 | USC (10-2) | 9 | 4 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 6 | Oregon (11-2) | 8 | 2 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 7 | Arkansas (10-2) | 6 | 1 | SEC (West) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 8 | Boise State (11-1) | 9 | 1 | MWC | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 9 | Wisconsin (11-2) | 15 | 6 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 10 | South Carolina (10-2) | 14 | 4 | SEC (East) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 11 | Kansas State (10-2) | 16 | 5 | Big 12 | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 12 | Michigan State (10-3) | 11 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 13 | Michigan (10-2) | 17 | 4 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 14 | Clemson (10-3) | 21 | 7 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 15 | Baylor (9-3) | 19 | 4 | Big 12 | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 16 | Texas Christian (10-2) | 18 | 2 | MWC | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 17 | Virginia Tech (11-2) | 5 | 12 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 18 | Georgia (10-3) | 12 | 6 | SEC (East) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 19 | Oklahoma (9-3) | 13 | 6 | Big 12 | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 20 | Houston (12-1) | 7 | 13 | CUSA (West) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 21 | Nebraska (9-3) | 20 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 22 | Southern Mississippi (11-2) | 24 | 2 | CUSA (East) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 23 | West Virginia (9-3) | 22 | 1 | Big East | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 24 | Penn State (9-3) | 23 | 1 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 15 | 2011-12-05 | 25 | Florida State (8-4) | 25 | ACC (Atlantic) | ||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 1 | LSU (12-0) | 1 | 60 | SEC (West) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 2 | Alabama (11-1) | 2 | SEC (West) | ||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 3 | Oklahoma State (10-1) | 5 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 4 | Stanford (11-1) | 4 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 5 | Virginia Tech (11-1) | 6 | 1 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 6 | Arkansas (10-2) | 3 | 3 | SEC (West) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 7 | Houston (12-0) | 8 | 1 | CUSA (West) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 8 | Oregon (10-2) | 9 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 9 | Boise State (10-1) | 7 | 2 | MWC | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 9 | USC (10-2) | 10 | 1 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 11 | Michigan State (10-2) | 11 | Big Ten (Legends) | ||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 12 | Georgia (10-2) | 13 | 1 | SEC (East) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 13 | Oklahoma (9-2) | 12 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 14 | South Carolina (10-2) | 14 | SEC (East) | ||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 15 | Wisconsin (10-2) | 15 | Big Ten (Leaders) | ||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 16 | Kansas State (9-2) | 16 | Big 12 | ||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 17 | Michigan (10-2) | 17 | Big Ten (Legends) | ||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 18 | Texas Christian (9-2) | 19 | 1 | MWC | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 19 | Baylor (8-3) | 21 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 20 | Nebraska (9-3) | 22 | 2 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 21 | Clemson (9-3) | 18 | 3 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 22 | West Virginia (8-3) | Big East | |||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 23 | Penn State (9-3) | 20 | 3 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 24 | Southern Mississippi (10-2) | CUSA (East) | |||
| 14 | 2011-11-27 | 25 | Florida State (8-4) | ACC (Atlantic) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 1 | LSU (11-0) | 1 | 60 | SEC (West) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 2 | Alabama (10-1) | 3 | 1 | SEC (West) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 3 | Arkansas (10-1) | 6 | 3 | SEC (West) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 4 | Stanford (10-1) | 8 | 4 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 5 | Oklahoma State (10-1) | 2 | 3 | Big 12 | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 6 | Virginia Tech (10-1) | 9 | 3 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 7 | Boise State (9-1) | 10 | 3 | MWC | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 8 | Houston (11-0) | 11 | 3 | CUSA (West) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 9 | Oregon (9-2) | 4 | 5 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 10 | USC (9-2) | 18 | 8 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 11 | Michigan State (9-2) | 12 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 12 | Oklahoma (8-2) | 5 | 7 | Big 12 | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 13 | Georgia (9-2) | 13 | SEC (East) | ||
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 14 | South Carolina (9-2) | 14 | SEC (East) | ||
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 15 | Wisconsin (9-2) | 15 | Big Ten (Leaders) | ||
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 16 | Kansas State (9-2) | 16 | Big 12 | ||
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 17 | Michigan (9-2) | 20 | 3 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 18 | Clemson (9-2) | 7 | 11 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 19 | Texas Christian (9-2) | 19 | MWC | ||
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 20 | Penn State (9-2) | 21 | 1 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 21 | Baylor (7-3) | 25 | 4 | Big 12 | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 22 | Nebraska (8-3) | 17 | 5 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 22 | Notre Dame (8-3) | 24 | 2 | Ind | |
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 24 | Virginia (8-3) | ACC (Coastal) | |||
| 13 | 2011-11-20 | 25 | Georgia Tech (8-3) | ACC (Coastal) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 1 | LSU (10-0) | 1 | 60 | SEC (West) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 2 | Oklahoma State (10-0) | 2 | Big 12 | ||
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 3 | Alabama (9-1) | 4 | 1 | SEC (West) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 4 | Oregon (9-1) | 6 | 2 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 5 | Oklahoma (8-1) | 7 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 6 | Arkansas (9-1) | 8 | 2 | SEC (West) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 7 | Clemson (9-1) | 9 | 2 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 8 | Stanford (9-1) | 3 | 5 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 9 | Virginia Tech (9-1) | 10 | 1 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 10 | Boise State (8-1) | 5 | 5 | MWC | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 11 | Houston (10-0) | 11 | CUSA (West) | ||
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 12 | Michigan State (8-2) | 13 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 13 | Georgia (8-2) | 14 | 1 | SEC (East) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 14 | South Carolina (8-2) | 15 | 1 | SEC (East) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 15 | Wisconsin (8-2) | 16 | 1 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 16 | Kansas State (8-2) | 17 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 17 | Nebraska (8-2) | 19 | 2 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 18 | USC (8-2) | 18 | Pac-12 (South) | ||
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 19 | Texas Christian (8-2) | MWC | |||
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 20 | Michigan (8-2) | 22 | 2 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 21 | Penn State (8-2) | 12 | 9 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 22 | Southern Mississippi (9-1) | 25 | 3 | CUSA (East) | |
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 23 | Florida State (7-3) | ACC (Atlantic) | |||
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 24 | Notre Dame (7-3) | Ind | |||
| 12 | 2011-11-13 | 25 | Baylor (6-3) | Big 12 | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 1 | LSU (9-0) | 1 | 59 | SEC (West) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 2 | Oklahoma State (9-0) | 3 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 3 | Stanford (9-0) | 4 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 4 | Alabama (8-1) | 2 | 2 | SEC (West) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 5 | Boise State (8-0) | 5 | 1 | MWC | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 6 | Oregon (8-1) | 6 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 7 | Oklahoma (8-1) | 7 | Big 12 | ||
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 8 | Arkansas (8-1) | 8 | SEC (West) | ||
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 9 | Clemson (8-1) | 11 | 2 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 10 | Virginia Tech (8-1) | 12 | 2 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 11 | Houston (9-0) | 14 | 3 | CUSA (West) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 12 | Penn State (8-1) | 16 | 4 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 13 | Michigan State (7-2) | 15 | 2 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 14 | Georgia (7-2) | 18 | 4 | SEC (East) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 15 | South Carolina (7-2) | 10 | 5 | SEC (East) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 16 | Wisconsin (7-2) | 19 | 3 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 17 | Kansas State (7-2) | 17 | Big 12 | ||
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 18 | USC (7-2) | 21 | 3 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 19 | Nebraska (7-2) | 9 | 10 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 20 | Georgia Tech (7-2) | 22 | 2 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 21 | Texas (6-2) | Big 12 | |||
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 22 | Michigan (7-2) | 13 | 9 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 23 | Cincinnati (7-1) | 23 | Big East | ||
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 24 | Auburn (6-3) | 25 | 1 | SEC (West) | |
| 11 | 2011-11-06 | 25 | Southern Mississippi (8-1) | CUSA (East) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 1 | LSU (8-0) | 1 | 47 | SEC (West) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 2 | Alabama (8-0) | 2 | 10 | SEC (West) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 3 | Oklahoma State (8-0) | 3 | Big 12 | ||
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 4 | Stanford (8-0) | 4 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 5 | Boise State (7-0) | 5 | 1 | MWC | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 6 | Oregon (7-1) | 7 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 7 | Oklahoma (7-1) | 11 | 4 | Big 12 | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 8 | Arkansas (7-1) | 8 | SEC (West) | ||
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 9 | Nebraska (7-1) | 13 | 4 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 10 | South Carolina (7-1) | 14 | 4 | SEC (East) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 11 | Clemson (8-1) | 6 | 5 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 12 | Virginia Tech (8-1) | 15 | 3 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 13 | Michigan (7-1) | 17 | 4 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 14 | Houston (8-0) | 18 | 4 | CUSA (West) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 15 | Michigan State (6-2) | 9 | 6 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 16 | Penn State (8-1) | 21 | 5 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 17 | Kansas State (7-1) | 10 | 7 | Big 12 | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 18 | Georgia (6-2) | 22 | 4 | SEC (East) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 19 | Wisconsin (6-2) | 12 | 7 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 20 | Arizona State (6-2) | 23 | 3 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 21 | USC (6-2) | 20 | 1 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 22 | Georgia Tech (7-2) | ACC (Coastal) | |||
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 23 | Cincinnati (6-1) | 24 | 1 | Big East | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 24 | West Virginia (6-2) | 25 | 1 | Big East | |
| 10 | 2011-10-30 | 25 | Auburn (6-3) | SEC (West) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 1 | LSU (8-0) | 1 | 49 | SEC (West) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 2 | Alabama (8-0) | 2 | 10 | SEC (West) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 3 | Oklahoma State (7-0) | 6 | 3 | Big 12 | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 4 | Stanford (7-0) | 7 | 3 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 5 | Boise State (7-0) | 5 | 1 | MWC | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 6 | Clemson (8-0) | 8 | 2 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 7 | Oregon (6-1) | 9 | 2 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 8 | Arkansas (6-1) | 10 | 2 | SEC (West) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 9 | Michigan State (6-1) | 15 | 6 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 10 | Kansas State (7-0) | 12 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 11 | Oklahoma (6-1) | 3 | 8 | Big 12 | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 12 | Wisconsin (6-1) | 4 | 8 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 13 | Nebraska (6-1) | 13 | Big Ten (Legends) | ||
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 14 | South Carolina (6-1) | 14 | SEC (East) | ||
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 15 | Virginia Tech (7-1) | 16 | 1 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 16 | Texas A&M (5-2) | 17 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 17 | Michigan (6-1) | 18 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 18 | Houston (7-0) | 21 | 3 | CUSA (West) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 19 | Texas Tech (5-2) | Big 12 | |||
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 20 | USC (6-1) | Pac-12 (South) | |||
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 21 | Penn State (7-1) | Big Ten (Leaders) | |||
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 22 | Georgia (5-2) | 24 | 2 | SEC (East) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 23 | Arizona State (5-2) | 24 | 1 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 24 | Cincinnati (6-1) | Big East | |||
| 9 | 2011-10-23 | 25 | West Virginia (5-2) | 11 | 14 | Big East | |
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 1 | LSU (7-0) | 1 | 41 | SEC (West) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 2 | Alabama (7-0) | 2 | 11 | SEC (West) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 3 | Oklahoma (6-0) | 3 | 6 | Big 12 | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 4 | Wisconsin (6-0) | 4 | Big Ten (Leaders) | ||
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 5 | Boise State (6-0) | 5 | 1 | MWC | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 6 | Oklahoma State (6-0) | 6 | Big 12 | ||
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 7 | Stanford (6-0) | 7 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 8 | Clemson (7-0) | 8 | ACC (Atlantic) | ||
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 9 | Oregon (5-1) | 9 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 10 | Arkansas (5-1) | 10 | SEC (West) | ||
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 11 | West Virginia (5-1) | 13 | 2 | Big East | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 12 | Kansas State (6-0) | 17 | 5 | Big 12 | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 13 | Nebraska (5-1) | 14 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 14 | South Carolina (6-1) | 15 | 1 | SEC (East) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 15 | Michigan State (5-1) | 23 | 8 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 16 | Virginia Tech (6-1) | 19 | 3 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 17 | Texas A&M (4-2) | 21 | 4 | Big 12 | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 18 | Michigan (6-1) | 11 | 7 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 19 | Auburn (5-2) | 24 | 5 | SEC (West) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 20 | Georgia Tech (6-1) | 12 | 8 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 21 | Houston (6-0) | 25 | 4 | CUSA (West) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 22 | Washington (5-1) | Pac-12 (North) | |||
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 23 | Illinois (6-1) | 16 | 7 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 24 | Arizona State (5-2) | 18 | 6 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 8 | 2011-10-16 | 24 | Georgia (5-2) | SEC (East) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 1 | LSU (6-0) | 1 | 40 | SEC (West) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 2 | Alabama (6-0) | 2 | 10 | SEC (West) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 3 | Oklahoma (5-0) | 3 | 8 | Big 12 | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 4 | Wisconsin (5-0) | 4 | Big Ten (Leaders) | ||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 5 | Boise State (5-0) | 5 | 1 | MWC | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 6 | Oklahoma State (5-0) | 6 | Big 12 | ||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 7 | Stanford (5-0) | 7 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 8 | Clemson (6-0) | 8 | ACC (Atlantic) | ||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 9 | Oregon (4-1) | 9 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 10 | Arkansas (5-1) | 10 | SEC (West) | ||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 11 | Michigan (6-0) | 12 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 12 | Georgia Tech (6-0) | 13 | 1 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 13 | West Virginia (5-1) | 16 | 3 | Big East | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 14 | Nebraska (5-1) | 14 | Big Ten (Legends) | ||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 15 | South Carolina (5-1) | 18 | 3 | SEC (East) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 16 | Illinois (6-0) | 19 | 3 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 17 | Kansas State (5-0) | 20 | 3 | Big 12 | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 18 | Arizona State (5-1) | 22 | 4 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 19 | Virginia Tech (5-1) | 21 | 2 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 20 | Baylor (4-1) | 25 | 5 | Big 12 | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 21 | Texas A&M (3-2) | 24 | 3 | Big 12 | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 22 | Texas (4-1) | 11 | 11 | Big 12 | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 23 | Michigan State (4-1) | Big Ten (Legends) | |||
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 24 | Auburn (4-2) | 15 | 9 | SEC (West) | |
| 7 | 2011-10-09 | 25 | Houston (6-0) | CUSA (West) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 1 | LSU (5-0) | 1 | 40 | SEC (West) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 2 | Alabama (5-0) | 3 | 1 | 12 | SEC (West) |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 3 | Oklahoma (4-0) | 2 | 1 | 7 | Big 12 |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 4 | Wisconsin (5-0) | 7 | 3 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 5 | Boise State (4-0) | 4 | 1 | 1 | MWC |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 6 | Oklahoma State (4-0) | 5 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 7 | Stanford (4-0) | 6 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 8 | Clemson (5-0) | 13 | 5 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 9 | Oregon (3-1) | 9 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 10 | Arkansas (4-1) | 18 | 8 | SEC (West) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 11 | Texas (4-0) | 17 | 6 | Big 12 | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 12 | Michigan (5-0) | 19 | 7 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 13 | Georgia Tech (5-0) | 21 | 8 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 14 | Nebraska (4-1) | 8 | 6 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 15 | Auburn (4-1) | SEC (West) | |||
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 16 | West Virginia (4-1) | 22 | 6 | Big East | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 17 | Florida (4-1) | 12 | 5 | SEC (East) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 18 | South Carolina (4-1) | 10 | 8 | SEC (East) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 19 | Illinois (5-0) | 24 | 5 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 20 | Kansas State (4-0) | Big 12 | |||
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 21 | Virginia Tech (4-1) | 11 | 10 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 22 | Arizona State (4-1) | 25 | 3 | Pac-12 (South) | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 23 | Florida State (2-2) | 23 | ACC (Atlantic) | ||
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 24 | Texas A&M (2-2) | 14 | 10 | Big 12 | |
| 6 | 2011-10-02 | 25 | Baylor (3-1) | 15 | 10 | Big 12 | |
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 1 | LSU (4-0) | 2 | 1 | 42 | SEC (West) |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 2 | Oklahoma (3-0) | 1 | 1 | 12 | Big 12 |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 3 | Alabama (4-0) | 3 | 5 | SEC (West) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 4 | Boise State (3-0) | 4 | 1 | MWC | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 5 | Oklahoma State (4-0) | 7 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 6 | Stanford (3-0) | 5 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 7 | Wisconsin (4-0) | 6 | 1 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 8 | Nebraska (4-0) | 9 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 9 | Oregon (3-1) | 10 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 10 | South Carolina (4-0) | 12 | 2 | SEC (East) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 11 | Virginia Tech (4-0) | 13 | 2 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 12 | Florida (4-0) | 15 | 3 | SEC (East) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 13 | Clemson (4-0) | 21 | 8 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 14 | Texas A&M (2-1) | 8 | 6 | Big 12 | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 15 | Baylor (3-0) | 17 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 16 | South Florida (4-0) | 18 | 2 | Big East | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 17 | Texas (3-0) | 19 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 18 | Arkansas (3-1) | 14 | 4 | SEC (West) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 19 | Michigan (4-0) | 22 | 3 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 20 | Texas Christian (3-1) | 20 | MWC | ||
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 21 | Georgia Tech (4-0) | 25 | 4 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 22 | West Virginia (3-1) | 16 | 6 | Big East | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 23 | Florida State (2-2) | 11 | 12 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 24 | Illinois (4-0) | 24 | Big Ten (Leaders) | ||
| 5 | 2011-09-25 | 25 | Arizona State (3-1) | Pac-12 (South) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 1 | Oklahoma (2-0) | 1 | 37 | Big 12 | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 2 | LSU (3-0) | 3 | 1 | 14 | SEC (West) |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 3 | Alabama (3-0) | 2 | 1 | 7 | SEC (West) |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 4 | Boise State (2-0) | 4 | 2 | MWC | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 5 | Stanford (3-0) | 6 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 6 | Wisconsin (3-0) | 7 | 1 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 7 | Oklahoma State (3-0) | 8 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 8 | Texas A&M (2-0) | 9 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 9 | Nebraska (3-0) | 11 | 2 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 10 | Oregon (2-1) | 12 | 2 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 11 | Florida State (2-1) | 5 | 6 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 12 | South Carolina (3-0) | 10 | 2 | SEC (East) | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 13 | Virginia Tech (3-0) | 13 | ACC (Coastal) | ||
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 14 | Arkansas (3-0) | 14 | SEC (West) | ||
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 15 | Florida (3-0) | 16 | 1 | SEC (East) | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 16 | West Virginia (3-0) | 18 | 2 | Big East | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 17 | Baylor (2-0) | 19 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 18 | South Florida (3-0) | 20 | 2 | Big East | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 19 | Texas (3-0) | 23 | 4 | Big 12 | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 20 | Texas Christian (2-1) | 23 | 3 | MWC | |
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 21 | Clemson (3-0) | ACC (Atlantic) | |||
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 22 | Michigan (3-0) | Big Ten (Legends) | |||
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 23 | USC (3-0) | Pac-12 (South) | |||
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 24 | Illinois (3-0) | Big Ten (Leaders) | |||
| 4 | 2011-09-18 | 25 | Georgia Tech (3-0) | ACC (Coastal) | |||
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 1 | Oklahoma (1-0) | 1 | 31 | Big 12 | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 2 | Alabama (2-0) | 3 | 1 | 10 | SEC (West) |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 3 | LSU (2-0) | 2 | 1 | 17 | SEC (West) |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 4 | Boise State (1-0) | 4 | 2 | MWC | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 5 | Florida State (2-0) | 5 | ACC (Atlantic) | ||
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 6 | Stanford (2-0) | 6 | Pac-12 (North) | ||
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 7 | Wisconsin (2-0) | 8 | 1 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 8 | Oklahoma State (2-0) | 9 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 9 | Texas A&M (1-0) | 7 | 2 | Big 12 | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 10 | South Carolina (2-0) | 12 | 2 | SEC (East) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 11 | Nebraska (2-0) | 10 | 1 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 12 | Oregon (1-1) | 13 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 13 | Virginia Tech (2-0) | 11 | 2 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 14 | Arkansas (2-0) | 14 | SEC (West) | ||
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 15 | Michigan State (2-0) | 17 | 2 | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 16 | Florida (2-0) | 18 | 2 | SEC (East) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 17 | Ohio State (2-0) | 15 | 2 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 18 | West Virginia (2-0) | 19 | 1 | Big East | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 19 | Baylor (1-0) | 20 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 20 | South Florida (2-0) | 22 | 2 | Big East | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 21 | Auburn (2-0) | SEC (West) | |||
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 22 | Arizona State (2-0) | Pac-12 (South) | |||
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 23 | Texas (2-0) | 24 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 23 | Texas Christian (1-1) | 25 | 2 | MWC | |
| 3 | 2011-09-11 | 25 | Mississippi State (1-1) | 16 | 9 | SEC (West) | |
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 1 | Oklahoma (1-0) | 1 | 32 | Big 12 | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 2 | LSU (1-0) | 4 | 2 | 17 | SEC (West) |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 3 | Alabama (1-0) | 2 | 1 | 9 | SEC (West) |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 4 | Boise State (1-0) | 5 | 1 | 2 | MWC |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 5 | Florida State (1-0) | 6 | 1 | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 6 | Stanford (1-0) | 7 | 1 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 7 | Texas A&M | 8 | 1 | Big 12 | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 8 | Wisconsin (1-0) | 11 | 3 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 9 | Oklahoma State (1-0) | 9 | Big 12 | ||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 10 | Nebraska (1-0) | 10 | Big Ten (Legends) | ||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 11 | Virginia Tech (1-0) | 13 | 2 | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 12 | South Carolina (1-0) | 12 | SEC (East) | ||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 13 | Oregon (0-1) | 3 | 10 | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 14 | Arkansas (1-0) | 15 | 1 | SEC (West) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 15 | Ohio State (1-0) | 18 | 3 | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 16 | Mississippi State (1-0) | 20 | 4 | SEC (West) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 17 | Michigan State (1-0) | 17 | Big Ten (Legends) | ||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 18 | Florida (1-0) | 22 | 4 | SEC (East) | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 19 | West Virginia | 24 | 5 | Big East | |
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 20 | Baylor (1-0) | Big 12 | |||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 21 | Missouri (1-0) | 21 | Big 12 | ||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 22 | South Florida (1-0) | Big East | |||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 23 | Penn State (1-0) | Big Ten (Leaders) | |||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 24 | Texas (1-0) | Big 12 | |||
| 2 | 2011-09-04 | 25 | Texas Christian (0-1) | 14 | 11 | MWC | |
| Wk | Date | Rk | School | Prev | Chng | 1st | Conf |
| 1 | Preseason | 1 | Oklahoma | NA | — | 36 | Big 12 |
| 1 | Preseason | 2 | Alabama | NA | — | 17 | SEC (West) |
| 1 | Preseason | 3 | Oregon | NA | — | 4 | Pac-12 (North) |
| 1 | Preseason | 4 | LSU | NA | — | 1 | SEC (West) |
| 1 | Preseason | 5 | Boise State | NA | — | 2 | MWC |
| 1 | Preseason | 6 | Florida State | NA | — | ACC (Atlantic) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 7 | Stanford | NA | — | Pac-12 (North) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 8 | Texas A&M | NA | — | Big 12 | |
| 1 | Preseason | 9 | Oklahoma State | NA | — | Big 12 | |
| 1 | Preseason | 10 | Nebraska | NA | — | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 11 | Wisconsin | NA | — | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 12 | South Carolina | NA | — | SEC (East) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 13 | Virginia Tech | NA | — | ACC (Coastal) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 14 | Texas Christian | NA | — | MWC | |
| 1 | Preseason | 15 | Arkansas | NA | — | SEC (West) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 16 | Notre Dame | NA | — | Ind | |
| 1 | Preseason | 17 | Michigan State | NA | — | Big Ten (Legends) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 18 | Ohio State | NA | — | Big Ten (Leaders) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 19 | Georgia | NA | — | SEC (East) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 20 | Mississippi State | NA | — | SEC (West) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 21 | Missouri | NA | — | Big 12 | |
| 1 | Preseason | 22 | Florida | NA | — | SEC (East) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 23 | Auburn | NA | — | SEC (West) | |
| 1 | Preseason | 24 | West Virginia | NA | — | Big East | |
| 1 | Preseason | 25 | USC | NA | — | Pac-12 (South) |
BCS Playoff Standings