Preseason 1953 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Michigan State |
| 3 | Georgia Tech |
| 4 | UCLA |
| 5 | Alabama |
| 6 | Oklahoma |
| 7 | Ohio State |
| 8 | USC |
| 9 | Maryland |
| 10 | Duke |
| 11 | Texas |
| 12 | Rice |
| 13 | Navy |
| 14 | California |
| 15 | Florida |
| 16 | West Virginia |
| 17 | Pitt |
| 17 | Tennessee |
| 19 | Princeton |
| 20 | Baylor |