|
1997: AP preseason, postseason college football rankings
Best climber: Michigan, No. 14 to No. 1
Three teams -- UCLA, Washington State and Georgia -- made dashes from unranked to the Top 10, but the Wolverines' climb over the elite had a greater degree of difficulty. Led by Heisman-winning defensive back Charles Woodson and steady QB Brian Griese, Michigan held off Washington State, 21-16, in the Rose Bowl to cap a 12-0 season.
Taking a dive: Penn State, No. 1 to No. 16
The season was more disappointment than disaster, unraveling after a 7-0 start ... but, still, in the past 10 seasons no preseason No. 1 has fallen further than the 1997 Nittany Lions. A nasty home spill against Michigan (34-8) ruined the perfect record, and then JoePa's guys dropped consecutive games at the end, including one to Florida in the Citrus Bowl.
| Preseason |
Postseason |
| Rank |
Team |
Rank |
Team |
| 1. |
Penn State |
1. |
Michigan |
| 2. |
Florida |
2. |
Nebraska |
| 3. |
Florida State |
3. |
Florida State |
| 4. |
Washington |
4. |
Florida |
| 5. |
Tennessee |
5. |
UCLA |
| 6. |
Nebraska |
6. |
North Carolina |
| 7. |
North Carolina |
7. |
Tennessee |
| 8. |
Colorado |
8. |
Kansas State |
| 9. |
Ohio State |
9. |
Washington State |
| 10. |
LSU |
10. |
Georgia |
| 11. |
Notre Dame |
11. |
Auburn |
| 12. |
Texas |
12. |
Ohio State |
| 13. |
Miami |
13. |
LSU |
| 14. |
Michigan |
14. |
Arizona State |
| 15. |
Alabama |
15. |
Purdue |
| 16. |
Auburn |
16. |
Penn State |
| 17. |
Syracuse |
17. |
Colorado State |
| 18. |
Stanford |
18. |
Washington |
| 19. |
Brigham Young |
19. |
Southern Miss |
| 20. |
Clemson |
20. |
Texas A&M |
| 21. |
Iowa |
21. |
Syracuse |
| 22. |
USC |
22. |
Mississippi |
| 23. |
Kansas State |
23. |
Missouri |
| 24. |
Wisconsin |
24. |
Oklahoma State |
| 25. |
Michigan State |
25. |
Georgia Tech |
|
|
|