December 4, 2011 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | LSU |
| 2 | Alabama |
| 3 | Oklahoma State |
| 4 | Stanford |
| 5 | USC |
| 6 | Oregon |
| 7 | Arkansas |
| 8 | Boise State |
| 9 | Wisconsin |
| 10 | South Carolina |
| 11 | Kansas State |
| 12 | Michigan State |
| 13 | Michigan |
| 14 | Clemson |
| 15 | Baylor |
| 16 | TCU |
| 17 | Virginia Tech |
| 18 | Georgia |
| 19 | Oklahoma |
| 20 | Houston |
| 21 | Nebraska |
| 22 | Southern Mississippi |
| 23 | West Virginia |
| 24 | Penn State |
| 25 | Florida State |