October 16, 2005 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | USC |
| 2 | Texas |
| 3 | Virginia Tech |
| 4 | Georgia |
| 5 | Alabama |
| 6 | Miami, FL |
| 7 | LSU |
| 8 | UCLA |
| 9 | Notre Dame |
| 10 | Texas Tech |
| 11 | Florida State |
| 12 | Penn State |
| 13 | Boston College |
| 14 | Ohio State |
| 15 | Oregon |
| 16 | Auburn |
| 17 | Tennessee |
| 18 | Florida |
| 19 | Wisconsin |
| 20 | West Virginia |
| 21 | TCU |
| 22 | Michigan State |
| 23 | Virginia |
| 24 | Fresno State |
| 25 | California |