The Buckeyes finished behind Michigan, Washington, Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Missouri and Ole Miss in the final rankings for the year, which were released early Tuesday morning following Michigan’s win over Washington in the national championship game.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points (1st-Place Votes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MICHIGAN | 15-0 | 1,525 (61) |
| 2 | WASHINGTON | 14-1 | 1,459 |
| 3 | TEXAS | 12-2 | 1,356 |
| 4 | GEORGIA | 13-1 | 1,328 |
| 5 | ALABAMA | 12-2 | 1,321 |
| 6 | FLORIDA STATE | 13-1 | 1,175 |
| 6 | OREGON | 12-2 | 1,175 |
| 8 | MISSOURI | 11-2 | 1,092 |
| 9 | OLE MISS | 11-2 | 1,030 |
| 10 | OHIO STATE | 11-2 | 1,006 |
| 11 | ARIZONA | 10-3 | 861 |
| 12 | LSU | 10-3 | 853 |
| 13 | PENN STATE | 10-3 | 796 |
| 14 | NOTRE DAME | 10-3 | 745 |
| 15 | OKLAHOMA | 10-3 | 691 |
| 16 | OKLAHOMA STATE | 10-4 | 528 |
| 17 | TENNESSEE | 9-4 | 442 |
| 18 | KANSAS STATE | 9-4 | 402 |
| 19 | LOUISVILLE | 10-4 | 398 |
| 20 | CLEMSON | 9-4 | 327 |
| 21 | N. |