Preseason 2011 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma |
| 2 | Alabama |
| 3 | Oregon |
| 4 | LSU |
| 5 | Boise State |
| 6 | Florida State |
| 7 | Stanford |
| 8 | Texas A&M |
| 9 | Oklahoma State |
| 10 | Nebraska |
| 11 | Wisconsin |
| 12 | South Carolina |
| 13 | Virginia Tech |
| 14 | TCU |
| 15 | Arkansas |
| 16 | Notre Dame |
| 17 | Michigan State |
| 18 | Ohio State |
| 19 | Georgia |
| 20 | Mississippi State |
| 21 | Missouri |
| 22 | Florida |
| 23 | Auburn |
| 24 | West Virginia |
| 25 | USC |