Five college football teams have won national championships despite beginning the season outside the AP preseason top 10, illustrating the limits of early rankings. The examples show that teams can rapidly exceed expectations through strong coaching, experienced players and successful in-season development.

– Colorado: ranked No. 20 in the 1990 preseason poll; won the national title.
– Oklahoma: ranked No. 19 in the 2000 preseason poll; won the national title.
– Ohio State: ranked No. 13 in the 2002 preseason poll; won the national title.
– Auburn: ranked No. 22 in the 2010 preseason poll; won the national title.
– Florida State: ranked No. 11 in the 2013 preseason poll; won the national title.