| Poll # | Season | Date | Number 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1936 | October 19 | Minnesota |
| 50 | 1942 | October 26 | Ohio State |
| 100 | 1947 | December 1 | Notre Dame |
| 150 | 1952 | November 24 | Michigan State |
| 200 | 1957 | September 23 | Oklahoma |
| 250 | 1961 | October 2 | Iowa |
| 300 | 1965 | October 11 | Texas |
| 350 | 1969 | September 29 | Ohio State |
| 400 | 1972 | October 30 | USC |
| 450 | 1975 | December 1 | Ohio State |
| 500 | 1979 | October 8 | USC |
| 550 | 1982 | November 1 | Pittsburgh |
| 600 | 1985 | November 12 | Penn State |
| 650 | 1988 | November 22 | Notre Dame |
| 700 | 1991 | November 25 | Miami (FL) |
| 750 | 1994 | November 22 | Nebraska |
| 800 | 1997 | November 3 | Nebraska |
| 850 | 2000 | October 29 | Oklahoma |
| 900 | 2003 | October 19 | Oklahoma |
| 950 | 2006 | October 29 | Ohio State |
| 1000 | 2009 | November 8 | Florida |
| 1050 | 2012 | November 18 | Notre Dame |
| 1100 | 2015 | November 22 | Clemson |
| 1150 | 2018 | December 2 | Alabama |
| 1200 | 2021 | December 5 | Alabama |