The rankings were prepared and published by United Press International (UPI).
The undefeated 1959 Bowling Green Falcons football team outscored opponents 274 to 83 and was ranked first by wide margin with 24 first-place votes and 407 total points.
The UPI ranked 1959 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team at No.
The Blue Raiders also compiled an undefeated record (10–0–1) and went on to win the 1960 Tangerine Bowl.
The 1959 Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football team (8–1), led by College Football Hall of Fame coach David M. Nelson, lost to Bowling Green and was ranked at No.