AP College Football Poll, Rankings: Greatest Programs Of All-Time

[Nitt1300]

CollegeFootballNews.com
Sat, January 14, 2023 at 1:37 PM EST

According to the AP college football polls, where do all of the teams rank? Here are the top programs of all-time utilizing the AP’s final rankings.
The AP college football rankings have been the most consistent and reliable since 1936. No other ranking system provides a better historical snapshot of the last 90+ seasons. They just keep on marching along.According to the AP final rankings for each season, how do all the college football teams rank since the start of the poll? According to the AP voters, what are the greatest programs of all-time?
Take all the AP final rankings and use our simple scoring system – the AP national champion in each season gets 25 points, the No. 2 team 24, No. 3 23, and so on down to the bottom.

AP College Football Poll: 1936 to 2022 Final All-Time Rankings​

1 Alabama 1150 (2)​

2 Ohio State 1141 (3)​

3 Oklahoma 1136 (1)​

4 Michigan 1039 (5)​

5 Notre Dame 1036 (4)​

6 USC 851 (6)​

T7 Nebraska 798 (7)​

T7 Texas 798 (8)​

9 Penn State 721 (9)​

10 Tennessee 706 (10)​

11 LSU 688 (11)​

12 Georgia 682 (12)​

13 Florida State 585 (14)​

14 Auburn 584 (13)​

15 Florida 551 (15)​

16 Miami 534 (16)​

17 UCLA 498 (17)​

18 Clemson 497 (18)​

19 Michigan State 472 (19)​

20 Arkansas 444 (20)​

21 Texas A&M 397 (21)​

22 Washington 394 (23)​

23 Wisconsin 378 (22)​

24 Ole Miss 362 (24)​

25 Iowa 344 (25)​

AP College Football Poll, Rankings: Greatest Programs Of All-Time (yahoo.com)

 

[TiogaLion]

No Pitt? Didn't these voters know that they've won 59 NC's?

 

[Nitt1300]

clearly, we deserve better

 

[Alphabets]

About right.

 

[LionsAndBears]

I think Nebby and the Okies are rated too high. I get that the scoring is set for all the teams but I don't think OU is #3 all-time nor is Neb #7.

 

[TiogaLion]

I think Nebby and the Okies are rated too high.

I would have put Nebraska one behind us but Okie stays in front. Where in front can be debated.

 

[LionsAndBears]

I would have put Nebraska one behind us but Okie stays in front. Where in front can be debated.

I agree. OU probably right in front of us and Nebraska a spot or 2 behind us.

 

[GrimReaper]

I think Nebby and the Okies are rated too high. I get that the scoring is set for all the teams but I don't think OU is #3 all-time nor is Neb #7.

Check out the Wilkinson (over eleven years, 1948-58, OU lost eight games) and Switzer years.

 

[LionsAndBears]

Check out the Wilkinson (over eleven years, 1948-58, OU lost eight games) and Switzer years.

Oh I agree that OU is a great program and I would put them slightly ahead of us. I just think #3 is too high.

 

[BobPSU92]

um at #4. Please.

 

[Nitt1300]

4 B1G teams in the top ten?

 

[LionsAndBears]

4 B1G teams in the top ten?

In 24 it'll be 5.

 

[TiogaLion]

4 B1G teams in the top ten?

Soon to be 5.

 

[Nitt1300]

In 24 it'll be 5.

 

[PSUwolf]

Looks about right, especially if you take into account this goes all the way back to 1936. Not so sure, though, that I'd have Nebraska above PSU especially with all of their crappy seasons lately

 

[PSUwolf]

Oh I agree that OU is a great program and I would put them slightly ahead of us. I just think #3 is too high.

They were a machine back in the Wilkinson days. I believe they hold the record for 50+ straight wins - can't remember the exact number.

Also read that OSU has only had two losing seasons since the mid 1960s and one of those was their 6-7 season in 2011 when Fickell took over after the "tattoo" sanctions hit.

Both of those programs have probably been the most consistent programs over the years. Even Alabama has had some horrible seasons before Saban but - of course - all of their recent success has vaulted them to number 1

 

[marshall23]

clearly, we deserve better

Now that's the spirit!

 

[marshall23]

Oh I agree that OU is a great program and I would put them slightly ahead of us. I just think #3 is too high.

Actually way above PSU. All time wins... OSU.3 PSU 7 All time winning % OSU 1 PSU 9 AP polls #2 OSU #9 PSU.

So in reference to current criticisms of CJF.....do we really deserve better?

 

[Midnighter]

Actually way above PSU. All time wins... OSU.3 PSU 7 All time winning % OSU 1 PSU 9 AP polls #2 OSU #9 PSU.

So in reference to current criticisms of CJF.....do we really deserve better?

It's less that we 'deserve' better, but rather, 'could we do better'? Maybe not. But, I think we could get similar results with a coach for a lot less. Right now the ceiling is 3rd place in the Big Ten and a top ten finish for about 8mm a year. It's been said before, but Paterno should probably have about 4 or 5 national championships in a span of about 30 years.

Also, are you talking about OSU or OU?

 

[Midnighter]

I would have put Nebraska one behind us but Okie stays in front. Where in front can be debated.

This poll wasn't voted on; it was arranged according to historical AP Top 25 finishes.

 

[BobPSU92]

This poll wasn't voted on; it was arranged according to historical AP Top 25 finishes.

SCIENCE.

 

[TiogaLion]

This poll wasn't voted on; it was arranged according to historical AP Top 25 finishes.

The historical finishes were based on polls, but I get your point.

 

[Midnighter]

SCIENCE.

 

[Catch1lion]

SCIENCE.

And don't get me started on Miss Sakamoto, you're beautiful

That's something I'd like to see on a poll, or a pole/

 

[Ludd]

It's less that we 'deserve' better, but rather, 'could we do better'? Maybe not. But, I think we could get similar results with a coach for a lot less. Right now the ceiling is 3rd place in the Big Ten and a top ten finish for about 8mm a year. It's been said before, but Paterno should probably have about 4 or 5 national championships in a span of about 30 years.

Also, are you talking about OSU or OU?

Does it make a difference if we go 11-2 with a lower paid coach? Do we get a special award for that?

 

[Nitt1300]

It's less that we 'deserve' better, but rather, 'could we do better'? Maybe not. But, I think we could get similar results with a coach for a lot less. Right now the ceiling is 3rd place in the Big Ten and a top ten finish for about 8mm a year. It's been said before, but Paterno should probably have about 4 or 5 national championships in a span of about 30 years.

Also, are you talking about OSU or OU?

The ceiling is yet to be reached- it's 12-0, and if CJF isn't the guy to get us there, I'd like to hear the name of the guy who is. Anything else is just noise.

 

[marshall23]

It's less that we 'deserve' better, but rather, 'could we do better'? Maybe not. But, I think we could get similar results with a coach for a lot less. Right now the ceiling is 3rd place in the Big Ten and a top ten finish for about 8mm a year. It's been said before, but Paterno should probably have about 4 or 5 national championships in a span of about 30 years.

Also, are you talking about OSU or OU?

As PSU fans we think Joe should have had a few more NCs. Don't you think any fan base can come up with the same lament?
Also, curious as to why you are butt hurt about CJF's contract? Are you being billed? You do know that he is currently #13 on the hit parade. So if he finishes 7th "he deserves better."
More than 100 years of history shows us that PSU has a strong program.....just not as good as Ohio State or Michigan.
PSU is a top 8-15 program.....not a top 5.

 

[Mrdibbs]

Couple thoughts from an older guy....

Back in the 60s and 70s, certain teams absolutely ruled their respective conferences. West coast was USC and UCLA (mostly USC). Southwest was Texas and sometimes Arkansas. Plains states was Oklahoma and Nebraska. Big 10 was Ohio State and Michigan. South was Alabama with Tennessee, Auburn, LSU and Ole Miss. These teams didn't just always win, they always won by big margins. Parity in college football was non existent. Upsets were rare.

AP was a poll and polls were subjective. There was definitive regional bias. A certain school in Central PA experienced that bias and impacted their annual rating while many on that list benefitted from the bias.

Not many teams played out of their region until the bowl games. Remember that the Big10 only sent their champ to the Rose Bowl. Maybe PAC8 did the same. That skews opinions.

There were some annual games that gave an idea of who was better (ND vs USC, Texas vs Oklahoma, ND vs Purdue) but regional bias ruled the day.

The current ESPN love fest with the SEC definitely creates a ratings imbalance, mostly in the 2nd tier SEC teams. Once they see a ranking, it takes an act of God to drop them out.

I personally have no beef with this all time AP poll. It only covers 85 years or so.

 

[Midnighter]

Does it make a difference if we go 11-2 with a lower paid coach? Do we get a special award for that?

Yes. Unless money is no object.

 

[Midnighter]

The ceiling is yet to be reached- it's 12-0, and if CJF isn't the guy to get us there, I'd like to hear the name of the guy who is. Anything else is just noise.

Nine years in and not even a CFP appearance. Name the last coach who went nine years at one place before winning a NC. It’s Mack Brown - Texas. And no one has done it in year 10 or later at one school. Not noise - facts.

 

[Midnighter]

As PSU fans we think Joe should have had a few more NCs. Don't you think any fan base can come up with the same lament?
Also, curious as to why you are butt hurt about CJF's contract? Are you being billed? You do know that he is currently #13 on the hit parade. So if he finishes 7th "he deserves better."
More than 100 years of history shows us that PSU has a strong program.....just not as good as Ohio State or Michigan.
PSU is a top 8-15 program.....not a top 5.

How many other fan bases have five undefeated seasons that went unrewarded?

CJFs contract is an issue because he gets a new one every two years or so but the program is stuck.

 

[TiogaLion]

How many other fan bases have five undefeated seasons that went unrewarded?

CJFs contract is an issue because he gets a new one every two years or so but the program is stuck.

For me it's the way he has gone about getting a new contract. He allowed rumors of him moving to essentially every program in need of a coach, thus creating/cementing the belief that Penn State is not a destination school. Every time he did this he completely killed the mojo of the program. It's got to be really hard convincing top recruits to attend a school when the coach shows he doesn't think it's a top program.

I'll always root for the team regardless of how well they do in the future, but I want Franklin out of here!

 

[Moogy]

It's less that we 'deserve' better, but rather, 'could we do better'? Maybe not. But, I think we could get similar results with a coach for a lot less. Right now the ceiling is 3rd place in the Big Ten and a top ten finish for about 8mm a year. It's been said before, but Paterno should probably have about 4 or 5 national championships in a span of about 30 years.

Also, are you talking about OSU or OU?

Obviously the ceiling ISN'T 3rd place in the Big Ten as a Franklin-led team has already done better than that. If you're going to suggest that something has changed since that time to lower the ceiling, let's hear it. The problem may be that you misunderstand what "ceiling" means.

And why do you give 2 rips what he makes? Are you the controller for the school? Is there evidence the contract is hamstringing the program?

 

[LionsAndBears]

Actually way above PSU. All time wins... OSU.3 PSU 7 All time winning % OSU 1 PSU 9 AP polls #2 OSU #9 PSU.

So in reference to current criticisms of CJF.....do we really deserve better?

I was talking about OU(Oklahoma) not OSU(Ohio St).

 

[Nitt1300]

Nine years in and not even a CFP appearance. Name the last coach who went nine years at one place before winning a NC. It’s Mack Brown - Texas. And no one has done it in year 10 or later at one school. Not noise - facts.

Very odd stat to cherry pick, considering how few coaches have even won a NC. You act like he's been on the job as long as Kirk Ferenz or Pat Fitzgerald,

I asked for a name- if you don't have one, you don't have one

 

[Midnighter]

Very odd stat to cherry pick, considering how few coaches have even won a NC. You act like he's been on the job as long as Kirk Ferenz or Pat Fitzgerald,

I asked for a name- if you don't have one, you don't have one

It ain’t Franklin.

 

[Midnighter]

Obviously the ceiling ISN'T 3rd place in the Big Ten as a Franklin-led team has already done better than that. If you're going to suggest that something has changed since that time to lower the ceiling, let's hear it. The problem may be that misunderstand what "ceiling" means.

And why do you give 2 rips what he makes? Are you the controller for the school? Is there evidence the contract is hamstringing the program?

Sorry - it’s B1G champs but with a bad loss (or two) to prevent a CFP appearance.

See Tioga’s post about the contract. We’re due for another go ‘round this year…

 

[Nitt1300]

It ain’t Franklin.

so you got nothing

 

[Midnighter]

so you got nothing

Just like Penn State.

 

[Nitt1300]

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