| 1987 NCAA Division I-A football rankings | |
|---|---|
| Season | 1987 |
| Bowl season | 1987–88 bowl games |
| Preseason No. 1 | Oklahoma |
| End of season champions | Miami (FL) |
| NCAA Division I-A football rankings ← 19861988 → | |
Two human polls comprised the 1987 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A football rankings. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.
Legend
.
| Increase in ranking | ||
| Decrease in ranking | ||
| Not ranked previous week | ||
| National champion | ||
| (#–#) | Win–loss record | |
| (Italics) | Number of first place votes | |
| т | Tied with team above or below also with this symbol |
AP Poll
| Preseason Aug 28 | Week 1 Sep 8 | Week 2 Sep 15 | Week 3 Sep 22 | Week 4 Sep 29 | Week 5 Oct 6 | Week 6 Oct 13 | Week 7 Oct 20 | Week 8 Oct 27 | Week 9 Nov 3 | Week 10 Nov 10 | Week 11 Nov 17 | Week 12 Nov 24 | Week 13 Dec 1 | Week 14 Dec 8 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oklahoma (55) | Oklahoma (1–0) (54) | Oklahoma (2–0) (54) | Oklahoma (2–0) (53) | Oklahoma (3–0) (44) | Oklahoma (4–0) (46) | Oklahoma (5–0) (47) | Oklahoma (6–0) (42) | Oklahoma (7–0) (40) | Oklahoma (8–0) (38) | Oklahoma (9–0) (36) | Nebraska (9–0) (32) | Oklahoma (11–0) (54) | Oklahoma (11–0) (48) | Oklahoma (11–0) (47) | Miami (FL) (12–0) (57) | 1. |
| 2. | Nebraska (3) | Nebraska (1–0) (3) | Nebraska (2–0) (6) | Nebraska (2–0) (7) | Nebraska (3–0) (12) | Nebraska (4–0) (8) | Nebraska (5–0) (7) | Nebraska (6–0) (12) | Nebraska (7–0) (13) | Nebraska (8–0) (15) | Nebraska (9–0) (15) | Oklahoma (10–0) (20) | Miami (FL) (9–0) (4) | Miami (FL) (10–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (11–0) (9) | Florida State (11–1) | 2. |
| 3. | UCLA (1) | UCLA (1–0) (1) | Auburn (2–0) | Auburn (2–0) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (4) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (6) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (7) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (7) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (9) | Miami (FL) (8–0) (8) | Florida State (9–1) | Florida State (10–1) | Florida State (10–1) | Oklahoma (11–1) | 3. |
| 4. | Ohio State | Auburn (1–0) | LSU (2–0) | LSU (3–0) | Florida State (4–0) | Notre Dame (3–0) | Florida State (5–1) | Florida State (6–1) | Florida State (6–1) | Florida State (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | Florida State (9–1) | Syracuse (11–0) (1) | Syracuse (11–0) (1) | Syracuse (11–0) (1) | Syracuse (11–0–1) | 4. |
| 5. | Auburn | Ohio State (0–0) | Ohio State (1–0) | Miami (FL) (1–0) | Notre Dame (3–0) | Auburn (3–0–1) | Auburn (4–0–1) | LSU (6–0–1) | LSU (6–0–1) | LSU (7–0–1) | UCLA (8–1) | UCLA (9–1) | Nebraska (9–1) | Nebraska (10–1) | Nebraska (10–1) | LSU (10–1–1) | 5. |
| 6. | LSU | LSU (1–0) | Miami (FL) (1–0) | Florida State (3–0) | Auburn (2–0–1) | Florida State (4–1) | LSU (5–0–1) | Auburn (5–0–1) | Auburn (6–0–1) | Auburn (7–0–1) | Syracuse (9–0) | Syracuse (10–0) | LSU (9–1–1) | Auburn (9–1–1) | Auburn (9–1–1) | Nebraska (10–2) | 6. |
| 7. | Michigan | Miami (FL) (1–0) | Florida State (2–0) | Ohio State (2–0) | LSU (3–0–1) | LSU (4–0–1) | Clemson (5–0) | Clemson (6–0) | UCLA (6–1) | UCLA (7–1) | Notre Dame (7–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | Auburn (8–1–1) | LSU (9–1–1) | LSU (9–1–1) | Auburn (9–1–2) | 7. |
| 8. | Florida State | Florida State (1–0) | Clemson (2–0) | Notre Dame (2–0) | Clemson (4–0) | Clemson (4–0) | Tennessee (4–0–1) | UCLA (5–1) | Syracuse (7–0) | Syracuse (8–0) | Georgia (7–2) | Clemson (9–1) | South Carolina (8–2) | South Carolina (8–2) | Michigan State (8–2–1) | Michigan State (9–2–1) | 8. |
| 9. | Clemson | Michigan (0–0) | Notre Dame (1–0) | Clemson (3–0) | Ohio State (2–0–1) | Ohio State (3–0–1) | UCLA (4–1) | Syracuse (6–0) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Notre Dame (6–1) | Clemson (8–1) | LSU (8–1–1) | Michigan State (8–2–1) | Michigan State (8–2–1) | South Carolina (8–3) | UCLA (10–2) | 9. |
| 10. | Miami (FL) | Clemson (1–0) | Washington (2–0) | Arkansas (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0–1) | Tennessee (4–0–1) | Penn State (5–1) | Notre Dame (4–1) | Florida (5–2) | Clemson (7–1) | LSU (7–1–1) | Auburn (8–1–1) | Notre Dame (8–2) | UCLA (9–2) | UCLA (9–2) | Texas A&M (10–2) | 10. |
| 11. | Penn State (1) | Penn State (1–0) | Alabama (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | UCLA (3–1) | UCLA (4–1) | Notre Dame (3–1) | Florida (5–2) | Indiana (6–1) | Georgia (6–2) | Alabama (7–2) | Michigan State (7–2–1) | UCLA (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–2) | Oklahoma State (10–2) | 11. |
| 12. | Arkansas | Washington (1–0) | Arkansas (1–0) | Arizona State (2–0) | Michigan (2–1) | Michigan (3–1) | Oklahoma State (5–0) | Georgia (5–2) | Georgia (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Auburn (7–1–1) | South Carolina (7–2) | Oklahoma State (9–2) | Notre Dame (8–3) | Notre Dame (8–3) | Clemson (10–2) | 12. |
| 13. | Washington | Arkansas (0–0) | UCLA (1–1) | UCLA (2–1) | Arizona State (2–1) | Arizona State (3–1) | Syracuse (5–0) | Tennessee (4–1–1) | Tennessee (5–1–1) | Alabama (6–2) | Michigan State (6–2–1) | Oklahoma State (8–2) | Clemson (9–2) | Clemson (9–2) | Texas A&M (9–2) | Georgia (9–3) | 13. |
| 14. | Arizona State | Tennessee (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | Michigan (1–1) | Penn State (3–1) | Penn State (4–1) | Florida (4–2) | Michigan State (4–2) | Clemson (6–1) | South Carolina (6–2) | South Carolina (6–2) | Georgia (7–3) | Georgia (7–3) | Georgia (8–3) | Clemson (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2–1) | 14. |
| 15. | Texas A&M | Arizona State (0–0) | Arizona State (1–0) | Penn State (2–1) | Texas A&M (2–1) | Alabama (4–1) | Arkansas (4–1) | Indiana (5–1) | Ohio State (5–1–1) | Michigan State (5–2–1) | Penn State (7–2) | Tennessee (7–2–1) | Texas A&M (8–2) | Texas A&M (9–2) | Georgia (8–3) | South Carolina (8–4) | 15. |
| 16. | Iowa | Notre Dame (0–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | Texas A&M (1–1) | Washington (3–1) | Georgia (4–1) | Oregon (4–1) | Ohio State (4–1–1) | Alabama (5–2) | Penn State (6–2) | Indiana (7–2) | Texas A&M (7–2) | Tennessee (8–2–1) | Tennessee (9–2–1) | USC (8–3) | Iowa (10–3) | 16. |
| 17. | Tennessee | Michigan State (1–0) | Michigan State (1–0) | Alabama (2–1) | Alabama (3–1) т | Syracuse (5–0) | Ohio State (3–1–1) | Alabama (5–2) | Oklahoma State (6–1) | Florida (5–3) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Alabama (7–3) | USC (8–3) | USC (8–3) | Tennessee (9–2–1) | Notre Dame (8–4) | 17. |
| 18. | Notre Dame | Pittsburgh (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Washington (2–1) | Iowa (3–1) т | Florida (3–2) | Georgia (4–2) | Penn State (5–2) | Penn State (5–2) | Indiana (6–2) | Tennessee (6–2–1) | Iowa (8–3) | Alabama (7–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Iowa (9–3) | USC (8–4) | 18. |
| 19. | USC | Alabama (1–0) | Michigan (0–1) | Iowa (2–1) | Florida (3–1) | Oklahoma State (4–0) | Michigan State (3–2) | Oklahoma State (5–1) | South Carolina (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2–1) | Texas A&M (6–2) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Iowa (9–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Michigan (8–4) | 19. |
| 20. | Florida т Georgia т | Georgia (1–0) | Penn State (1–1) | Georgia (2–1) | Georgia (3–1) | Arkansas (3–1) | Indiana (4–1) | Michigan (4–2) | Michigan State (4–2–1) | Texas A&M (6–2) | Arkansas (7–2) | Indiana (7–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Arizona State (7–4–1) | 20. |
| Preseason Aug 28 | Week 1 Sep 8 | Week 2 Sep 15 | Week 3 Sep 22 | Week 4 Sep 29 | Week 5 Oct 6 | Week 6 Oct 13 | Week 7 Oct 20 | Week 8 Oct 27 | Week 9 Nov 3 | Week 10 Nov 10 | Week 11 Nov 17 | Week 12 Nov 24 | Week 13 Dec 1 | Week 14 Dec 8 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 3 | ||
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Coaches Poll
| Preseason Aug 30 | Week 1 Sep 8 | Week 2 Sep 15 | Week 3 Sep 22 | Week 4 Sep 29 | Week 5 Oct 6 | Week 6 Oct 13 | Week 7 Oct 20 | Week 8 Oct 27 | Week 9 Nov 3 | Week 10 Nov 10 | Week 11 Nov 17 | Week 12 Nov 24 | Week 13 Dec 1 | Week 14 Dec 8 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oklahoma | Oklahoma (1–0) (44) | Oklahoma (2–0) (45) | Oklahoma (2–0) (45) | Oklahoma (3–0) (46) | Oklahoma (4–0) (45) | Oklahoma (5–0) (43) | Oklahoma (6–0) (45) | Oklahoma (7–0) (43) | Oklahoma (8–0) (43) | Oklahoma (9–0) (38) | Nebraska (9–0) (21) | Oklahoma (11–0) (48) | Oklahoma (11–0) (41) | Oklahoma (11–0) (41) | Miami (FL) (12–0) (47) | 1. |
| 2. | Nebraska | Nebraska (1–0) (1) | Nebraska (2–0) (5) | Nebraska (2–0) (4) | Nebraska (3–0) (3) | Nebraska (4–0) (1) | Nebraska (5–0) (2) | Nebraska (6–0) (3) | Nebraska (7–0) (6) | Nebraska (8–0) (5) | Nebraska (9–0) (10) | Oklahoma (10–0) (27) | Miami (FL) (9–0) (2) | Miami (FL) (10–0) (5) | Miami (FL) (11–0) (8) | Florida State (11–1) | 2. |
| 3. | Ohio State | UCLA (1–0) (1) | Auburn (2–0) | Auburn (2–0) | Miami (FL) (2–0) (1) | Miami (FL) (3–0) (4) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (5) | Miami (FL) (4–0) (2) | Miami (FL) (5–0) (1) | Miami (FL) (6–0) (1) | Miami (FL) (7–0) (1) | Miami (FL) (8–0) (1) | Florida State (9–1) | Florida State (10–1) | Florida State (10–1) | Oklahoma (11–1) | 3. |
| 4. | UCLA | Auburn (1–0) | Ohio State (1–0) | LSU (3–0) | Florida State (4–0) | Notre Dame (3–0) | Auburn (4–0–1) | LSU (6–0–1) | LSU (6–0–1) | Florida State (7–1) | Florida State (8–1) | Florida State (9–1) | Syracuse (11–0) | Syracuse (11–0) | Syracuse (11–0) (1) | Syracuse (11–0–1) | 4. |
| 5. | Auburn | Ohio State (0–0) (1) | LSU (2–0) | Ohio State (2–0) | Notre Dame (3–0) | Auburn (3–0–1) | LSU (5–0–1) | Florida State (6–1) | Florida State (6–1) | LSU (7–0–1) | UCLA (8–1) | UCLA (9–1) | Nebraska (9–1) | Nebraska (10–1) | Nebraska (10–1) | LSU (10–1–1) | 5. |
| 6. | Michigan | LSU (1–0) (1) | Miami (FL) (1–0) | Notre Dame (2–0) | Auburn (2–0–1) | LSU (4–0–1) | Clemson (5–0) | Auburn (5–0–1) | Auburn (6–0–1) | Auburn (7–0–1) | Syracuse (9–0) | Syracuse (10–0) (1) | Auburn (8–1–1) | Auburn (9–1–1) | Auburn (9–1–1) | Nebraska (10–2) | 6. |
| 7. | Penn State | Miami (FL) (1–0) (1) | Florida State (2–0) | Miami (FL) (1–0) (1) | Clemson (4–0) | Clemson (4–0) | Florida State (5–1) | Clemson (6–0) | UCLA (6–1) | UCLA (7–1) | Notre Dame (7–1) | Notre Dame (8–1) | LSU (9–1–1) | LSU (9–1–1) | LSU (9–1–1) | Auburn (9–1–2) | 7. |
| 8. | Arizona State | Michigan (0–0) | Clemson (2–0) | Florida State (3–0) | LSU (3–0–1) | Florida State (4–1) | Tennessee (4–0–1) | UCLA (5–1) | Syracuse (7–0) | Syracuse (8–0) (1) | Georgia (7–2) | Clemson (9–1) | Michigan State (8–2–1) | Michigan State (8–2–1) | Michigan State (8–2–1) | Michigan State (9–2–1) | 8. |
| 9. | Miami (FL) | Penn State (1–0) (1) | Notre Dame (1–0) | Clemson (3–0) | Ohio State (2–0–1) | Ohio State (3–0–1) | UCLA (4–1) | Syracuse (6–0) | Notre Dame (5–1) | Notre Dame (6–1) | Clemson (8–1) | Auburn (8–1–1) | South Carolina (8–2) | South Carolina (8–2) | South Carolina (8–3) | Texas A&M (10–2) | 9. |
| 10. | Texas A&M т | Clemson (1–0) | Alabama (2–0) | Arkansas (2–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | Tennessee (4–0–1) | Penn State (5–1) | Notre Dame (4–1) | Indiana (6–1) | Clemson (7–1) | Alabama (7–2) | LSU (8–1–1) | UCLA (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–2) | UCLA (9–2) | Clemson (10–2) | 10. |
| 11. | LSU т | Florida State (1–0) | Arkansas (1–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | UCLA (3–1) | UCLA (4–1) | Syracuse (5–0) | Florida (5–2) | Florida (5–2) | Georgia (6–2) | LSU (7–1–1) | Michigan State (7–2–1) | Notre Dame (8–2) | UCLA (9–2) | Oklahoma State (9–2) | UCLA (10–2) | 11. |
| 12. | Arkansas | Arkansas (0–0) | Washington (2–0) | Arizona State (2–0) | Penn State (3–1) | Michigan (3–1) | Oklahoma State (5–0) | Indiana (5–1) | Clemson (6–1) | Oklahoma State (7–1) | Auburn (7–1–1) | South Carolina (7–2) | Oklahoma State (9–2) | Texas A&M (9–2) | Clemson (9–2) | Oklahoma State (10–2) | 12. |
| 13. | Clemson | Washington (1–0) | Tennessee (3–0) | UCLA (2–1) | Arizona State (2–1) | Arizona State (3–1) | Notre Dame (3–1) | Georgia (5–2) | Tennessee (5–1–1) | Michigan State (5–2–1) | Michigan State (6–2–1) | Oklahoma State (8–2) | Clemson (9–2) | Clemson (9–2) | Texas A&M (9–2) | Tennessee (10–2–1) | 13. |
| 14. | Florida State | Arizona State (0–0) | Arizona State (1–0) т | Penn State (2–1) | Michigan (2–1) | Penn State (4–1) | Florida (4–2) | Ohio State (4–1–1) | Georgia (6–2) | South Carolina (6–2) | South Carolina (6–2) | Texas A&M (7–2) | USC (8–3) | Georgia (8–3) | Notre Dame (8–3) | Georgia (9–3) | 14. |
| 15. | Washington | Tennessee (2–0) | UCLA (1–1) т | Florida (2–1) | Georgia (3–1) | Georgia (4–1) | Arkansas (4–1) | Michigan State (4–2) | Ohio State (5–1–1) | Alabama (6–2) | Indiana (7–2) | Tennessee (7–2–1) | Texas A&M (8–2) | Notre Dame (8–3) | Georgia (8–3) | South Carolina (8–4) | 15. |
| 16. | Notre Dame | Notre Dame (0–0) | Pittsburgh (2–0) | Michigan (1–1) | Washington (3–1) | Syracuse (5–0) | Ohio State (3–1–1) | Tennessee (4–1–1) | Oklahoma State (6–1) | Penn State (6–2) | Penn State (7–2) | Georgia (7–3) | Tennessee (8–2–1) | USC (8–3) | Tennessee (9–2–1) | Iowa (10–3) | 16. |
| 17. | Tennessee | Alabama (1–0) | Georgia (2–0) | Texas A&M (1–1) | Syracuse (4–0) | Alabama (4–1) | Georgia (4–2) | Michigan (4–2) | Alabama (5–2) | Indiana (6–2) | Oklahoma State (7–2) | Pittsburgh (7–3) | Georgia (7–3) | Tennessee (9–2–1) | USC (8–3) | USC (8–4) | 17. |
| 18. | Iowa | Pittsburgh (1–0) | Michigan State (1–0) | Syracuse (3–0) | Florida (3–1) | Oklahoma State (4–0) | Oregon (4–1) | Alabama (5–2) | Michigan State (4–2–1) | Florida (5–3) | Arkansas (7–2) | USC (7–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Michigan (8–4) | 18. |
| 19. | Alabama | North Carolina (1–0) | Boston College (2–0) | Georgia (2–1) | Alabama (3–1) | Florida (3–2) | Minnesota (5–0) | Oklahoma State (5–1) | South Carolina (5–2) | Arkansas (6–2) | Tennessee (6–2–1) | Alabama (7–3) | Pittsburgh (8–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Penn State (8–3) | Texas (7–5) | 19. |
| 20. | Florida | USC (0–0) | Penn State (1–1) | Washington (2–1) |
| USC (3–1) | Michigan State (3–2) | South Carolina (4–2) | Arkansas (5–2) | Tennessee (5–2–1) | Texas A&M (6–2) | Iowa (8–3) | Indiana (8–3) |
| Indiana (8–3) | Indiana (8–4) | 20. |
| Preseason Aug 30 | Week 1 Sep 8 | Week 2 Sep 15 | Week 3 Sep 22 | Week 4 Sep 29 | Week 5 Oct 6 | Week 6 Oct 13 | Week 7 Oct 20 | Week 8 Oct 27 | Week 9 Nov 3 | Week 10 Nov 10 | Week 11 Nov 17 | Week 12 Nov 24 | Week 13 Dec 1 | Week 14 Dec 8 | Week 15 (Final) Jan 3 | ||
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USA Today / CNN Top 25
Main article: USA Today / CNN Top 25| Final January 4, 1988 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Miami (FL) (12–0) (799) | 1. |
| 2. | Florida State (11–1) (1) | 2. |
| 3. | Oklahoma (11–1) | 3. |
| 4. | Syracuse (11–0–1) | 4. |
| 5. | Nebraska (10–2) | 5. |
| Final January 4, 1988 | ||
References
- "1987 Preseason AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- "September 8, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "September 15, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "September 22, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "September 29, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "October 6, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "October 13, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "October 20, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "October 27, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "November 3, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "November 10, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "November 17, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "November 24, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "December 1, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "December 8, 1987 AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "1987 Final AP Football Poll". College Poll Archive. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- "War between the state – Coaches' UPI". Florida Today (Cocoa, FL). August 30, 1987. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- "Michigan drops to 8th in UPI Poll". Detroit Free Press. September 8, 1987. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- "The United Press International Board of Coaches' Top 20 college football ratings". The Republic (Columbus, IN). September 15, 1987. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- "Syracuse Cracks Top 20 List; Okla. Secure In No. 1". Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA). September 22, 1987. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- "Miami, Florida St., Irish move up". Detroit Free Press. September 29, 1987. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- "Unbeatens Secure Top 4 Spots in UPI Ratings". Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA). October 6, 1987. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- "UPI Coaches Poll". Indianapolis Star. October 14, 1987. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- "UPI COACHES TOP 20". Arizona Republic. October 21, 1987. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- "Four Perfect Teams Head UPI Grid Rankings". Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA). October 27, 1987. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "UPI COACHES TOP 20". Arizona Republic. November 4, 1987. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- "UPI Top 20". Detroit Free Press. November 10, 1987. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- "UPI Top 20". Detroit Free Press. November 18, 1987. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- "MSU 8th; six on Big Ten teams". Detroit Free Press. November 24, 1987. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "Okla., Miami Stay On Course". Tyrone Daily Herald (Tyrone, PA). December 1, 1987. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "UPI COACHES TOP 20". Arizona Republic. December 8, 1987. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "Miami, Florida State finish 1–2 in polls; MSU stays eighth". Detroit Free-Press. January 4, 1988. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
- Brewington, Peter (January 4, 1988). "Miami comfortable on throne once more". USA TODAY. ProQuest 305994260. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
The Hurricanes, who defeated Oklahoma 20-14 in Friday's Orange Bowl, earned all but one first-place vote and 799 of a possible 800 points to finish No. 1 in the final USA TODAY Cable News Network Top 25 poll. Florida State (11-1) received one first-place vote and was No. 2 in each poll.
| NCAA college football rankings | |
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| Pre-divisional |
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| NCAA University Division | |
| NCAA Division I | |
| NCAA Division I-A/FBS | |
| NCAA Division I-AA/FCS | |
| Small college | |
| NCAA Division II | |
| NCAA Division III | |
| Polls | |