September 16, 2012 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama |
| 2 | LSU |
| 3 | Oregon |
| 4 | Florida State |
| 5 | Georgia |
| 6 | Oklahoma |
| 7 | South Carolina |
| 8 | West Virginia |
| 9 | Stanford |
| 10 | Clemson |
| 11 | Notre Dame |
| 12 | Texas |
| 13 | USC |
| 14 | Florida |
| 15 | Kansas State |
| 16 | Ohio State |
| 17 | TCU |
| 18 | Michigan |
| 19 | UCLA |
| 20 | Louisville |
| 21 | Michigan State |
| 22 | Arizona |
| 23 | Mississippi State |
| 24 | Boise State |
| 25 | Nebraska |