Two human polls and a committee's selections comprised the 2015 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a national championship, instead that title is bestowed by one or more different polling agencies. There are two main weekly polls that begin in the preseason—the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. One additional poll is released midway through the season; the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are released after the eighth week.

This was the second season of the four-team College Football Playoff system which replaced the previous Bowl Championship Series system. At the conclusion of the regular season, on Sunday, December 6, 2015, the final CFP rankings will determine who will play in the two bowl games designated as semifinals for the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship on January 11, 2016, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.

Legend   Increase in ranking   Decrease in ranking   Not ranked previous week   Selected for College Football Playoff   Win–loss record   Number of first place votes Tied with team above or below also with this symbol

AP Poll

Coaches Poll

CFP rankings

References