December 9, 2002 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Miami, FL |
| 2 | Ohio State |
| 3 | Iowa |
| 4 | Georgia |
| 5 | USC |
| 6 | Kansas State |
| 7 | Washington State |
| 8 | Oklahoma |
| 9 | Texas |
| 10 | Penn State |
| 11 | Notre Dame |
| 12 | Michigan |
| 13 | Alabama |
| 14 | Colorado |
| 15 | West Virginia |
| 16 | Florida State |
| 17 | North Carolina State |
| 18 | Boise State |
| 19 | Auburn |
| 20 | Maryland |
| 21 | Virginia Tech |
| 22 | Florida |
| 23 | Colorado State |
| 24 | Pitt |
| 25 | Arkansas |