1971 AP Rankings
| Final Poll For 1971 Season |
| Rank |
Team |
Record |
Votes |
| 1971 AP |
| 1 | Nebraska | 13-0-0 | | | 2 | Oklahoma | 11-1-0 | |
| 3 | Colorado | 10-2-0 | | | 4 | Alabama | 11-1-0 | |
| 5 | Penn State | 11-1-0 | | | 6 | Michigan | 11-1-0 | |
| 7 | Georgia | 11-1-0 | | | 8 | Arizona State | 11-1-0 | |
| 9 | Tennessee | 10-2-0 | | | 10 | Stanford | 9-3-0 | |
| 11 | Louisiana State | 9-3-0 | | | 12 | Auburn | 9-2-0 | |
| 13 | Notre Dame | 8-2-0 | | | 14 | Toledo | 12-0-0 | |
| 15 | Mississippi | 10-2-0 | | | 16 | Arkansas | 8-3-1 | |
| 17 | Houston | 9-3-0 | | | 18 | Texas | 8-3-0 | |
| 19 | Washington | 8-3-0 | | | 20 | Southern California | 6-4-1 | |
|
Great Moments in College Football History
The most popular names for four-year college mascots are Eagles and Tigers.
