September 12, 1989 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Michigan |
| 3 | Miami, FL |
| 4 | Nebraska |
| 5 | Auburn |
| 6 | Oklahoma |
| 7 | Clemson |
| 8 | Colorado |
| 9 | Arkansas |
| 10 | Illinois |
| 11 | Syracuse |
| 12 | West Virginia |
| 13 | USC |
| 14 | Pitt |
| 15 | Washington |
| 16 | Alabama |
| 17 | Tennessee |
| 18 | Houston |
| 19 | North Carolina State |
| 20 | UCLA |
| 21 | LSU |
| 22 | Texas A&M |
| 23 | Washington State |
| 24 | Iowa |
| 25 | Mississippi State |