Two human polls comprised the 1961 major college football rankings.
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.
The final AP poll was released on December 5, at the end of the regular season, weeks before the bowls.
The final UPI Coaches Poll was released prior to the bowl games, on December 5.
[14] Alabama received 18 of the 35 first-place votes; Ohio State received fifteen, Ole Miss one, and Colorado one.