Poll Archive
AP Top 25 1997 Postseason Rankings
Explore the canonical weekly archive for AP Top 25 Postseason, including movement, chaos, leaders, and rankings context.
1997
Michigan
Postseason
Points
—
1st Place Votes
—
Top Team
Michigan
AP Top 25 • Postseason • Big Ten
Ranked Teams
25
Teams currently listed after any conference filtering.
Avg Points
0.0
Average poll points for teams in the current view.
First-Place Votes
0
Combined first-place votes in the selected week.
Biggest Riser
Washington ▲3
Washington moved from No. 21 to No. 18.
Biggest Faller
Syracuse ▼7
Syracuse moved from No. 14 to No. 21.
Most Consistent
Notre Dame
Lowest rank variance across 4 ranked weeks.
Most Volatile
UCLA
Range of 19 ranking spots across 14 ranked weeks.
Chaos Index
100
Chaos
What changed this week?
This week's ranking story
AP Top 25 1997 Postseason: Michigan is No. 1, Washington ▲3 is the biggest riser, Syracuse ▼7 is the biggest faller, Air Force and Michigan State dropped out, and SEC leads with 6 ranked teams.
Dropped out: Air Force and Michigan State.
AP Top 25 — 1997 (Postseason)
Hover rows to compare the current ranking, previous spot, and movement context.
| Rank | School | Record | Prev | Change | Points | 1st Place | Conference | Why moved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | 12-0 | No. 1 | — | — | — | Big Ten | Held position after W 21-16 vs Washington State.W 21-16 vs Washington State |
| 2 | Nebraska | 13-0 | No. 2 | — | — | — | Big 12 | Held position after W 42-17 vs Tennessee.W 42-17 vs Tennessee |
| 3 | Florida State | 11-1 | No. 4 | ▲1 | — | — | ACC | Moved up 1 spot after W 31-14 vs Ohio State.W 31-14 vs Ohio State |
| 4 | Florida | 10-2 | No. 6 | ▲2 | — | — | SEC | Moved up 2 spots after W 21-6 vs Penn State.W 21-6 vs Penn State |
| 5 | UCLA | 10-2 | No. 5 | — | — | — | Pac-10 | Held position after W 29-23 vs Texas A&M.W 29-23 vs Texas A&M |
| 6 | North Carolina | 11-1 | No. 7 | ▲1 | — | — | ACC | Moved up 1 spot after W 42-3 vs Virginia Tech.W 42-3 vs Virginia Tech |
| 7 | Tennessee | 11-2 | No. 3 | ▼4 | — | — | SEC | Fell 4 spots after L 17-42 vs Nebraska.L 17-42 vs Nebraska |
| 8 | Kansas State | 11-1 | No. 10 | ▲2 | — | — | Big 12 | Moved up 2 spots after W 35-18 vs Syracuse.W 35-18 vs Syracuse |
| 9 | Washington State | 10-2 | No. 8 | ▼1 | — | — | Pac-10 | Fell 1 spot after L 16-21 vs Michigan.L 16-21 vs Michigan |
| 10 | Georgia | 10-2 | No. 12 | ▲2 | — | — | SEC | Moved up 2 spots after W 33-6 vs Wisconsin.W 33-6 vs Wisconsin |
| 11 | Auburn | 10-3 | No. 13 | ▲2 | — | — | SEC | Moved up 2 spots after W 21-17 vs Clemson.W 21-17 vs Clemson |
| 12 | Ohio State | 10-3 | No. 9 | ▼3 | — | — | Big Ten | Fell 3 spots after L 14-31 vs Florida State.L 14-31 vs Florida State |
| 13 | LSU | 9-3 | No. 15 | ▲2 | — | — | SEC | Moved up 2 spots after W 27-9 vs Notre Dame.W 27-9 vs Notre Dame |
| 14 | Arizona State | 9-3 | No. 16 | ▲2 | — | — | Pac-10 | Moved up 2 spots after W 17-7 vs Iowa.W 17-7 vs Iowa |
| 15 | Purdue | 9-3 | No. 17 | ▲2 | — | — | Big Ten | Moved up 2 spots after W 33-20 vs Oklahoma State.W 33-20 vs Oklahoma State |
| 16 | Penn State | 9-3 | No. 11 | ▼5 | — | — | Big Ten | Fell 5 spots after L 6-21 vs Florida.L 6-21 vs Florida |
| 17 | Colorado State | 11-2 | No. 18 | ▲1 | — | — | Western Athletic | Moved up 1 spot after W 35-24 vs Missouri.W 35-24 vs Missouri |
| 18 | Washington | 8-4 | No. 21 | ▲3 | — | — | Pac-10 | Moved up 3 spots after W 51-23 vs Michigan State.W 51-23 vs Michigan State |
| 19 | Southern Miss | 9-3 | No. 22 | ▲3 | — | — | Conference USA | Moved up 3 spots after W 41-7 vs Pittsburgh.W 41-7 vs Pittsburgh |
| 20 | Texas A&M | 9-4 | No. 20 | — | — | — | Big 12 | Held position after L 23-29 vs UCLA.L 23-29 vs UCLA |
| 21 | Syracuse | 9-4 | No. 14 | ▼7 | — | — | Big East | Fell 7 spots after L 18-35 vs Kansas State.L 18-35 vs Kansas State |
| 22 | Ole Miss | 8-4 | UR | NEW | — | — | SEC | Entered the poll after W 34-31 vs Marshall.W 34-31 vs Marshall |
| 23 | Missouri | 7-5 | No. 19 | ▼4 | — | — | Big 12 | Fell 4 spots after L 24-35 vs Colorado State.L 24-35 vs Colorado State |
| 24 | Oklahoma State | 8-4 | No. 24 | — | — | — | Big 12 | Held position after L 20-33 vs Purdue.L 20-33 vs Purdue |
| 25 | Georgia Tech | 7-5 | UR | NEW | — | — | ACC | Entered the poll after W 35-30 vs West Virginia.W 35-30 vs West Virginia |
Dropped Out
- Air Force (was No. 23)
- Michigan State (was No. 25)
Conference Snapshot
Representation within the selected poll and week.
Average points —
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Stability & Volatility
Identify which teams stayed steady and which teams had the wildest ranking swings.
Most Consistent
Notre Dame
Lowest rank variance across 4 ranked weeks.
Most Volatile
UCLA
Range of 19 ranking spots across 14 ranked weeks.
Season Ranking Movement
Compare how teams climbed, fell, or stayed steady week by week.
Chaos Meter
This score estimates how turbulent each week was across the rankings.
Peak Chaos Week
Regular • Week 5
100 points (Chaos)
Season Chaos Average
64.3
Average weekly turbulence for this season.
Ranked losses 1 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 0 • Movement 0
Ranked losses 0 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 14 • Movement 3
Ranked losses 4 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 1 • Movement 16
Ranked losses 6 • Top-10 losses 1 • New teams 2 • Movement 13
Ranked losses 9 • Top-10 losses 3 • New teams 3 • Movement 66
Ranked losses 2 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 2 • Movement 80
Ranked losses 6 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 1 • Movement 8
Ranked losses 6 • Top-10 losses 2 • New teams 2 • Movement 58
Ranked losses 8 • Top-10 losses 1 • New teams 2 • Movement 56
Ranked losses 5 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 4 • Movement 60
Ranked losses 7 • Top-10 losses 2 • New teams 1 • Movement 45
Ranked losses 7 • Top-10 losses 3 • New teams 2 • Movement 63
Ranked losses 6 • Top-10 losses 2 • New teams 2 • Movement 59
Ranked losses 6 • Top-10 losses 2 • New teams 2 • Movement 50
Ranked losses 5 • Top-10 losses 1 • New teams 3 • Movement 49
Ranked losses 0 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 1 • Movement 29
Ranked losses 0 • Top-10 losses 0 • New teams 0 • Movement 16
Ranked losses 12 • Top-10 losses 3 • New teams 2 • Movement 47
Ratings Systems
No ratings data is available yet for 1997.
Weekly Leaders
Track which program held the top spot throughout the selected season.
Most Weeks at No. 1
Michigan
6 weeks at No. 1.
| Week | Leader | Conference | Points | 1st Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular • Week 1 | Colorado | Big 12 | — | — |
| Regular • Week 2 | Penn State | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 3Streak 2 | Penn State | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 4Streak 3 | Penn State | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 5Streak 4 | Penn State | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 6 | Florida | SEC | — | — |
| Regular • Week 7Streak 2 | Florida | SEC | — | — |
| Regular • Week 8Streak 3 | Florida | SEC | — | — |
| Regular • Week 9 | Penn State | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 10 | Nebraska | Big 12 | — | — |
| Regular • Week 11Streak 2 | Nebraska | Big 12 | — | — |
| Regular • Week 12Streak 3 | Nebraska | Big 12 | — | — |
| Regular • Week 13 | Michigan | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 14Streak 2 | Michigan | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 15Streak 3 | Michigan | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 16Streak 4 | Michigan | Big Ten | — | — |
| Regular • Week 17Streak 5 | Michigan | Big Ten | — | — |
| PostseasonStreak 6 | Michigan | Big Ten | — | — |
Poll Dominance
Show which teams controlled the No. 1 ranking the most.
Multiple No. 1 runs • Most recent season 1997
Multiple No. 1 runs • Most recent season 1997
Single No. 1 run • Most recent season 1997
Single No. 1 run • Most recent season 1997
Entries & Exits
Show when teams entered the rankings, dropped out, and returned.
| Week | Team | Event | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular • Week 2 | Penn State | Entered rankings | 1 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Florida | Entered rankings | 2 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Florida State | Entered rankings | 3 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Washington | Entered rankings | 4 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Tennessee | Entered rankings | 5 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Nebraska | Entered rankings | 6 |
| Regular • Week 2 | North Carolina | Entered rankings | 7 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Ohio State | Entered rankings | 9 |
| Regular • Week 2 | LSU | Entered rankings | 10 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Syracuse | Entered rankings | 13 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Michigan | Entered rankings | 15 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Auburn | Entered rankings | 17 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Kansas State | Entered rankings | 22 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Northwestern | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 2 | Wisconsin | Dropped out | 24 |
| Regular • Week 3 | Colorado State | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 3 | Syracuse | Dropped out | 13 |
| Regular • Week 4 | Virginia Tech | Entered rankings | 22 |
| Regular • Week 4 | Arizona State | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 4 | BYU | Dropped out | 19 |
| Regular • Week 4 | Northwestern | Dropped out | 21 |
| Regular • Week 5 | Washington State | Entered rankings | 19 |
| Regular • Week 5 | UCLA | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 5 | Georgia | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Regular • Week 5 | Texas | Dropped out | 11 |
| Regular • Week 5 | Notre Dame | Dropped out | 12 |
| Regular • Week 5 | USC | Dropped out | 23 |
| Regular • Week 6 | Texas A&M | Entered rankings | 22 |
| Regular • Week 6 | BYU | Entered rankings | 23 |
| Regular • Week 6 | Miami | Dropped out | 22 |
| Regular • Week 6 | Colorado State | Dropped out | 23 |
| Regular • Week 7 | Air Force | Entered rankings | 23 |
| Regular • Week 7 | Clemson | Dropped out | 17 |
| Regular • Week 8 | Oklahoma State | Entered rankings | 20 |
| Regular • Week 8 | Georgia Tech | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Regular • Week 8 | Alabama | Dropped out | 20 |
| Regular • Week 8 | Arizona State | Dropped out | 25 |
| Regular • Week 9 | West Virginia | Entered rankings | 23 |
| Regular • Week 9 | Wisconsin | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 9 | BYU | Dropped out | 21 |
| Regular • Week 9 | Colorado | Dropped out | 24 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Purdue | Entered rankings | 22 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Arizona State | Entered rankings | 23 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Toledo | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Ole Miss | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Air Force | Dropped out | 18 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Georgia Tech | Dropped out | 21 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Wisconsin | Dropped out | 24 |
| Regular • Week 10 | Stanford | Dropped out | 25 |
| Regular • Week 11 | Southern Miss | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 11 | Ole Miss | Dropped out | 25 |
| Regular • Week 12 | Mississippi State | Entered rankings | 19 |
| Regular • Week 12 | Syracuse | Entered rankings | 22 |
| Regular • Week 12 | West Virginia | Dropped out | 17 |
| Regular • Week 12 | Michigan State | Dropped out | 21 |
| Regular • Week 13 | Wisconsin | Entered rankings | 23 |
| Regular • Week 13 | Missouri | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Regular • Week 13 | Toledo | Dropped out | 18 |
| Regular • Week 13 | Southern Miss | Dropped out | 24 |
| Regular • Week 14 | West Virginia | Entered rankings | 22 |
| Regular • Week 14 | Colorado State | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Regular • Week 14 | Iowa | Dropped out | 22 |
| Regular • Week 14 | Oklahoma State | Dropped out | 24 |
| Regular • Week 15 | Southern Miss | Entered rankings | 23 |
| Regular • Week 15 | Air Force | Entered rankings | 24 |
| Regular • Week 15 | Oklahoma State | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Regular • Week 15 | Virginia Tech | Dropped out | 19 |
| Regular • Week 15 | West Virginia | Dropped out | 22 |
| Regular • Week 15 | Wisconsin | Dropped out | 24 |
| Regular • Week 16 | Michigan State | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Regular • Week 16 | Mississippi State | Dropped out | 22 |
| Postseason | Ole Miss | Entered rankings | 22 |
| Postseason | Georgia Tech | Entered rankings | 25 |
| Postseason | Air Force | Dropped out | 23 |
| Postseason | Michigan State | Dropped out | 25 |