September 2, 2012 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama |
| 2 | USC |
| 3 | LSU |
| 4 | Oregon |
| 5 | Oklahoma |
| 6 | Florida State |
| 7 | Georgia |
| 8 | Arkansas |
| 9 | South Carolina |
| 9 | West Virginia |
| 11 | Michigan State |
| 12 | Clemson |
| 13 | Wisconsin |
| 14 | Ohio State |
| 15 | Virginia Tech |
| 16 | Nebraska |
| 17 | Texas |
| 18 | Oklahoma State |
| 19 | Michigan |
| 20 | TCU |
| 21 | Kansas State |
| 22 | Notre Dame |
| 23 | Louisville |
| 24 | Florida |
| 25 | Stanford |