2008 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Encyclopedia
Three human polls and one formula
ic ranking make up the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sport
s, college football
's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll
and the Coaches Poll
. About halfway through the season, two additional polls are released, the Harris Interactive Poll and the Bowl Championship Series
(BCS) Standings. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS Standings. At the end of the season, the BCS Standings determines who plays in the BCS bowl game
s as well as the BCS National Championship Game
.
As the 2008 football season progresses, rankings are updated weekly. The team voted number one in the final AP and Coaches Polls can claim the title of National Champion. The BCS Rankings and Harris Poll do not vote in a final poll as their sole purpose is to determine who plays in the BCS National Championship Game. Other polls exist and may vote for different schools which causes confusion, especially for split titles. But generally, only the AP and Coaches Polls are used in crowning the National Champion.
(AP) preseason poll
was released on August 16, 2008. The AP Poll is the oldest poll still in use and is compiled by sportswriters and sports broadcasters across the nation. This season will mark the third season since the inception of the BCS that the AP Poll was not included in the BCS formula. The AP ordered a cease and desist
to stop the BCS from using their poll, and the BCS complied and created the Harris Interactive Poll in response. The poll operates identically to the Coaches and Harris Polls, except there is no inclusion into the BCS.
Coaches' Poll is the second oldest poll still in use after the AP Poll, and its preseason poll was released on August 1, 2008. It is compiled by a rotating group of 62 college football Division I head coach
es. Each voting member ranks teams from 1 to 25 . Each team then receives points for their ranking in reverse order: Number 1 earns 25 points, number 2 earns 24 points, and so forth. The points are then combined and the team with the highest points is then ranked #1; second highest is ranked #2 and so forth. Only the top 25 teams with points are ranked, with teams receiving first place votes noted the quantity next to their name. Any team receiving votes after the top 25 are listed after the top 25 by their point totals. However, these are not real rankings: They are not considered #26, #27, etc. The maximum points a single team can earn is 1550.
Formula
In mathematics, a formula is an entity constructed using the symbols and formation rules of a given logical language....
ic ranking make up the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
s, college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or more of four different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason: the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and the Coaches Poll
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
. About halfway through the season, two additional polls are released, the Harris Interactive Poll and the Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) Standings. The Harris Poll and Coaches Poll are factors in the BCS Standings. At the end of the season, the BCS Standings determines who plays in the BCS bowl game
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
s as well as the BCS National Championship Game
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
.
As the 2008 football season progresses, rankings are updated weekly. The team voted number one in the final AP and Coaches Polls can claim the title of National Champion. The BCS Rankings and Harris Poll do not vote in a final poll as their sole purpose is to determine who plays in the BCS National Championship Game. Other polls exist and may vote for different schools which causes confusion, especially for split titles. But generally, only the AP and Coaches Polls are used in crowning the National Champion.
| Increase in ranking | ||
| Decrease in ranking | ||
| Not ranked previous week | ||
| Selected for BCS National Championship Game | ||
| |
Selected AP National Champion | |
| Italics | Number of first place votes | |
| (#-#) | Win-loss record | |
| т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
AP poll
The Associated PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
(AP) preseason poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
was released on August 16, 2008. The AP Poll is the oldest poll still in use and is compiled by sportswriters and sports broadcasters across the nation. This season will mark the third season since the inception of the BCS that the AP Poll was not included in the BCS formula. The AP ordered a cease and desist
Cease and desist
A cease and desist is an order or request to halt an activity and not to take it up again later or else face legal action. The recipient of the cease-and-desist may be an individual or an organization....
to stop the BCS from using their poll, and the BCS complied and created the Harris Interactive Poll in response. The poll operates identically to the Coaches and Harris Polls, except there is no inclusion into the BCS.
USA Today Coaches' Poll
The USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
Coaches' Poll is the second oldest poll still in use after the AP Poll, and its preseason poll was released on August 1, 2008. It is compiled by a rotating group of 62 college football Division I head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
es. Each voting member ranks teams from 1 to 25 . Each team then receives points for their ranking in reverse order: Number 1 earns 25 points, number 2 earns 24 points, and so forth. The points are then combined and the team with the highest points is then ranked #1; second highest is ranked #2 and so forth. Only the top 25 teams with points are ranked, with teams receiving first place votes noted the quantity next to their name. Any team receiving votes after the top 25 are listed after the top 25 by their point totals. However, these are not real rankings: They are not considered #26, #27, etc. The maximum points a single team can earn is 1550.
Harris Interactive Poll
BCS rankings
Preseason polls
Various publications release their preseason top 25 months before the season commences.| Athlon | Lindy's | Phil Steele Phil Steele Phil Steele is an American sportswriter and analyst who focuses exclusively on college and professional football. He currently writes a column for the Orlando Sentinel, and is considered a "highly respected prognosticator" within the sports media... |
Sporting News | College Football News | Sports Illustrated | CFP Users | BCS Fan | ESPN | Rivals.com | USA Today Coaches' Poll | NationalChamps.net | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Florida 2008 Florida Gators football team The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season... |
Georgia | Florida | Georgia | Ohio State | Georgia | LSU | Georgia | Georgia | USC | Georgia | Ohio State | 1. |
| 2. | Ohio State 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football on behalf of the Ohio State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio... |
USC | Ohio State | Ohio State | Georgia | Ohio State | West Virginia | USC | Ohio State | Georgia | USC | Georgia | 2. |
| 3. | Oklahoma 2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team The 2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 2008-2009. It was the 114th year of season play for the Sooners. The team was led by head coach Bob Stoops, a two-time Walter Camp Coach of the Year award winner, who has a contract... |
Ohio State | Oklahoma | USC | Oklahoma | USC | USC | Ohio State | Oklahoma | Ohio State | Ohio State | USC | 3. |
| 4. | USC 2008 USC Trojans football team The 2008 University of Southern California Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California during the college football season of 2008–2009... |
Oklahoma | USC | Oklahoma | Florida | Missouri | Georgia | Oklahoma | USC | Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Oklahoma | 4. |
| 5. | Georgia 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team The 2008 Georgia Bulldogs football team competed in American football on behalf of the University of Georgia in 2008. The Bulldogs competed in the East Division of the Southeastern Conference . This was the Georgia Bulldogs' eighth season under the guidance of head coach Mark Richt... |
Missouri | Clemson | LSU | USC | LSU | Kansas | Florida | Florida | Missouri | Florida | Missouri | 5. |
| 6. | Missouri 2008 Missouri Tigers football team The 2008 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in college football's 2008 season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel, who returned in his eighth season with Mizzou, and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.Quarterback Chase Daniel returned for... |
Florida | West Virginia | Missouri | LSU | Oklahoma | Missouri | Missouri | Clemson | Florida | LSU | Florida | 6. |
| 7. | West Virginia 2008 West Virginia Mountaineers football team The 2008 West Virginia Mountaineers football team competed on behalf of West Virginia University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Bill Stewart, who took over after he led the Mountaineers to a 2008 Fiesta Bowl victory over the #3 Oklahoma Sooners as the... |
LSU | Missouri | Clemson | Wisconsin | Florida | Ohio State | West Virginia | West Virginia | Auburn | Missouri | LSU | 7. |
| 8. | Auburn 2008 Auburn Tigers football team The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth season as head coach at Auburn... |
Texas | South Florida | West Virginia | Missouri | Texas Tech | Oklahoma | LSU | Texas Tech | West Virginia | West Virginia | Kansas | 8. |
| 9. | LSU 2008 LSU Tigers football team The 2008 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Les Miles who entered his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana... |
Clemson | Georgia | Florida | West Virginia | Auburn | Virginia Tech | Clemson | Missouri | Clemson | Clemson | West Virginia | 9. |
| 10. | Clemson 2008 Clemson Tigers football team The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney... |
West Virginia | Penn State | Illinois | Texas Tech | Wisconsin | Texas | Auburn | Auburn | LSU | Texas | Texas | 10. |
| 11. | Texas | Wisconsin | Texas Tech | Texas | Penn State | Clemson | Boston College | Texas | Texas | Kansas | Auburn | Virginia Tech | 11. |
| 12. | Wisconsin 2008 Wisconsin Badgers football team The 2008 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers were coached by Bret Bielema and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.... |
BYU | Auburn | Kansas | Tennessee | Tennessee | BYU | LSU | Texas Tech | BYU | Wisconsin | Clemson | 12. |
| 13. | Kansas 2008 Kansas Jayhawks football team The 2008 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas for the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision intercollegiate football season of 2008-2009. It was the school's 119th year of intercollegiate football... |
Auburn | LSU | Virginia Tech | Kansas | Texas | Tennessee | Arizona State | Brigham Young | Wisconsin | Kansas | Wisconsin | 13. |
| 14. | BYU 2008 BYU Cougars football team The 2008 BYU Cougars football team represented Brigham Young University in the 2008 college football season.Prior to the 2008 season, BYU had won consecutive Mountain West Conference championship titles without losing a conference game. It had also finished with an 11-2 overall record for... |
Arizona State | Utah 2008 Utah Utes football team The 2008 Utah Utes football team represented the University of Utah in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by 4th year head football coach Kyle Whittingham, plays its home games in Rice–Eccles Stadium... |
Wisconsin | Auburn | West Virginia | Florida | Kansas | Tennessee | Texas Tech | Texas Tech | Texas Tech | 14. |
| 15. | Arizona State 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football team The 2008 Arizona State Sun Devils football team represents Arizona State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. It plays its home games at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.... |
Kansas | Texas | Oregon | Texas | Kansas | Cincinnati | BYU | Arizona State | Texas | Virginia Tech | Auburn | 15. |
| 16. | Illinois 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team The 2008 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois in the 2008–2009 college football season. The team's head coach was Ron Zook. The Illini played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois... |
Texas Tech | Virginia Tech | Auburn | Oregon | Arizona State | Arizona State | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Arizona State | Arizona State | Arizona State | 16. |
| 17. | Tennessee 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team was coached by head football coach Phillip Fulmer, in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed... |
Wake Forest | BYU | Arizona State | Virginia Tech | BYU | Auburn | Tennessee | Kansas | Virginia Tech | BYU | Tennessee | 17. |
| 18. | Texas Tech 2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team The 2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the college football season of 2008/09. The team was coached by Mike Leach. The Red Raiders played their home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. The football team competed in the Division I Football Bowl... |
Illinois | South Carolina 2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team The 2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head football coach was Steve Spurrier, who served his fourth season at USC... |
Michigan | Illinois | Oregon State | Texas Tech | Virginia Tech | Illinois | Illinois | Tennessee | Illinois | 18. |
| 19. | Oregon 2008 Oregon Ducks football team The 2008 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the college football season of 2008. This was the final season for Mike Bellotti as the Ducks' head coach; he was promoted to become the school's athletic director after the season. The Ducks played their home games at... |
South Florida | Notre Dame 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team The 2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2008 college football season. The team's head football coach is Charlie Weis. The Irish play their home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana... |
BYU | Boston College 2008 Boston College Eagles football team The 2008 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Boston College's fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Eagles were led by... |
Illinois | Michigan | Oregon | Pittsburgh | Tennessee | Illinois | BYU | 19. |
| 20. | South Florida 2008 South Florida Bulls football team The 2008 South Florida Bulls football team will represent the University of South Florida in the 2008 college football season. Their head coach is Jim Leavitt, and the USF Bulls will play all of their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The 2008 college football season is only the... |
Alabama 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team The 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference and its 17th within the SEC Western Division... |
California 2008 California Golden Bears football team The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2008-2009 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford... |
Texas Tech | Clemson | Oregon | Hawaii 2008 Hawaii Warriors football team The 2008 Hawaii Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS college football season.... |
Illinois South Florida |
Virginia Tech | South Florida | Oregon | Penn State | 20. |
| 21. | Virginia Tech 2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team The 2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represents Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach is Frank Beamer. Prior to the season, the Hokies were expected to be in a rebuilding mode, recovering after the... |
Oregon | Wisconsin | South Florida | Michigan 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team The 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2008 college football season. The team's head football coach was Rich Rodriguez. The Wolverines played their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan... |
Penn State | Oregon | Oregon | Oregon | South Florida | South Florida | 21. | |
| 22. | Rutgers 2008 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team After losing star halfback Ray Rice to the NFL Draft, Rutgers faced a rebuilding season. Senior Mike Teel was forced to step up his game at quarterback without being able to rely on Rice so frequently. Rutgers started off very slowly, dropping 5 of the first 6 games, including two to Big East... |
Fresno State | Oregon | Tennessee | BYU | Cincinnati 2008 Cincinnati Bearcats football team The 2008 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represents the University of Cincinnati in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team, coached by Brian Kelly, plays its homes game in Nippert Stadium. Kelly is in his second full season with the Bearcats after coaching them to a 31–21 win... |
Clemson | Penn State | Wake Forest | Penn State | Penn State | Oregon | 22. |
| 23. | Penn State 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team The 2008 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the 2008 college football season. The team is coached by Joe Paterno and plays its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.-Previous season:... |
Pittsburgh 2008 Pittsburgh Panthers football team The 2008 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2008 college football season. The season was the fourth under head coach Dave Wannstedt, who was looking to achieve his first winning season with the Panthers... |
Tennessee | Alabama | South Carolina | Virginia Tech | Wisconsin | Pittsburgh | Fresno State | Fresno State | Wake Forest | Fresno State | 23. |
| 24. | Wake Forest 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The Demon Deacons... |
Tennessee | Florida State | Wake Forest | Alabama | Alabama | Oregon State 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team The 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach is Mike Riley... |
Wake Forest | Penn State | Wake Forest | Michigan | Wake Forest | 24. |
| 25. | Fresno State 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs football team The 2008 Fresno State football team represent California State University, Fresno and the Central Valley in the 2008 college football season. The team is coached by 12th-year head coach Pat Hill, who has a contract lasting though the 2010 season... |
Florida State 2008 Florida State Seminoles football team The 2008 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Florida State's 17th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The previous... |
Pittsburgh | Fresno State 2008 Fresno State Bulldogs football team The 2008 Fresno State football team represent California State University, Fresno and the Central Valley in the 2008 college football season. The team is coached by 12th-year head coach Pat Hill, who has a contract lasting though the 2010 season... |
Wake Forest | Pittsburgh | Illinois | Fresno State | Notre Dame | Pittsburgh | Fresno State | Boise State | 25. |
| Athlon | Lindy's | Phil Steele | Sporting News | College Football News | Sports Illustrated | CFP Users | BCS Fan | ESPN | Rivals.com | USA Today Coaches' Poll | NationalChamps.net |