Oklahoma tops this record with ten preseason No. 1 rankings and four national championships in those years. Ohio State (eight) is second on the list, with Alabama and USC (both with seven) tied for third in the preseason No. 1 rankings, followed by Florida State and Nebraska (both with six). Michigan has the most No. 1 rankings with eleven; it was ranked first in the pre-Gator Bowl era (1895-1901) more times than any other team. It also won the first two College Football Championships in 1895 and 1896.
In addition to its three titles in the early years of the game, Oklahoma has also been ranked No. 1 every year since 1990, except for 1999 when it fell to Texas A&M. The Sooners have won or been ranked No. 1 in the final poll each year of that streak except for 2011 when they were ousted by Missouri.
Florida State has the most appearances on the list with twelve, including the past three seasons. The Seminoles were ranked No. 1 in 2011 and 2012 before falling to Oregon State and Alabama respectively. South Carolina has the most victories with forty-four. Ohio State has the most losses with twenty-nine.
Michigan's perfect season in 1895 is still considered one of the greatest performances in NCAA history. The Wolverines defeated their opponents by a combined score of 156-6 and were not scored upon.
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There are four appearances (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019). While the Sooners have made the most playoff appearances, they have never won a playoff game. Ohio State has made four appearances (2014, 2016, 2019, 2020). They have won two titles (2014, 2020). Oregon has made three appearances (2013, 2014, 2015). Michigan has made two appearances (2012, 2013). Alabama has made one appearance (2009).
Oklahoma has the most appearances of any team in the Big 12. The Sooners have played in the Big 12 Championship Game five times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007). They lost all five games. Oklahoma also lost to Nebraska in the 1973 Orange Bowl. That's the only bowl game win by the Sooners.
Ohio State has the most appearances of any team in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes have played in the Big Ten Championship Game six times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004). They have won three titles (2002, 2003, 2004). Iowa has the most appearances of any team in the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes have played in the Rose Bowl three times (1926, 1927, 1928). They have won two titles (1927, 1928).
Penn State has the most appearances of any team in the Nittany Lions.
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Alabama List of college football teams ranked first in the AP Poll based on weekly appearances
| Rank | Team | Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | 130 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 105 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 101 |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 98 |
Over the lengthy history of college football, the AP poll has been the most constant rating system. What programs are the most successful? Here are the top programs based on a CFN algorithm that takes into account all of the AP's final rankings.
Here's how it works: Using all of the AP final rankings, CFN devised a scoring system in which every AP national champion received 25 points, the No. 2 team received 24, the No. 3 team received 23, and so on down to the bottom—currently No. 25--but the rankings were only a top ten for a short time before dropping to a top 20. What does all of this prove?
Over the lengthy history of college football, the AP poll has been the most constant rating system. What programs are the most successful? Here are the top programs based on a CFN algorithm that takes into account all of the AP's final rankings.
In the poll's history, twenty-three different programs have won the top spot: Oklahoma leads the chart with ten preseason No. 1 rankings and four national titles in such years.
List of college football teams ranked first in the AP Poll based on weekly appearances
| Rank | Team | Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | 130 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 105 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 101 |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 98 |
AP Poll
| Preseason Aug 11 | Week 11 Nov 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Penn State (21) | Nebraska (8–0) (46) |
| 2. | Florida (12) | Penn State (7–0) (16) |
| 3. | Florida State (7) | Florida State (8–0) (5) |
| 4. | Washington (10) | Michigan (8–0) (1) |
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