What Is 1964 small college football rankings

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1964 small college football rankings were determined by the Associated Press (AP) and ranked Central Missouri State as the top team with a perfect 11-0 record, followed by Delaware and Wittenberg. These rankings reflected the best-performing teams in NCAA College Division football, now known as Division II and III.

Key Facts

Central Missouri State finished 1964 ranked #1 with an undefeated 11-0 record
The AP released weekly small college football rankings during the 1964 season
Delaware finished second in the final 1964 poll with a 10-1 record
Wittenberg University placed third with a 9-1 record in 1964
The 1964 rankings covered NCAA College Division teams, precursor to modern Divisions II and III

Overview

The 1964 small college football rankings were part of the Associated Press (AP) poll that highlighted the top-performing teams in the NCAA College Division, a classification that included schools now part of Division II and III. These rankings provided a national perspective on smaller institutions competing outside the major college football programs.

Unlike today’s split between Division II and III, the College Division in 1964 encompassed all non-major programs, making the rankings a key indicator of regional and national excellence. The AP poll was the primary source for determining the season’s top small college teams.

Central Missouri State finished the season ranked #1 with a perfect 11-0 record, defeating all opponents including a win in the Mineral Water Bowl.
The AP released rankings weekly during the 1964 season, culminating in a final poll published in December after the regular season and postseason games.
Delaware finished second in the final AP small college poll with a 10-1 record, losing only to major college opponent Penn State.
Wittenberg University placed third nationally with a 9-1 record, losing only to Ohio Wesleyan in a non-conference matchup.
The rankings excluded NAIA and junior college teams, focusing solely on NCAA College Division members.

How It Works

The 1964 small college rankings were determined through a voting system managed by the Associated Press, involving sports journalists and regional experts who evaluated team performance weekly.

AP Poll: The Associated Press conducted a weekly ranking based on votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Each voter submitted a ranked list of the top 25 teams.
College Division: This NCAA classification included schools that did not compete in the University Division (now FBS). Teams had smaller budgets and regional schedules, typically with 9–11 games per season.
Final Rankings: The final 1964 poll was released in early December, incorporating results from all regular season and postseason games played by small college teams.
Undefeated Teams: Central Missouri State was one of only three small college teams to finish 1964 undefeated, reinforcing their #1 ranking with dominant scoring margins.
Voting Influence: Regional bias was minimized by distributing voters across the U.S., though teams from the Midwest and Northeast received more consistent recognition.
Postseason Impact: Bowl results, such as Central Missouri’s 30-21 win over Winona State, were factored into the final rankings, affecting final placements.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five teams in the 1964 small college football rankings based on final records, key wins, and final AP placement.

Rank	Team	Record	Key Win	Final AP Points
1	Central Missouri State	11-0	30-21 vs. Winona State (Mineral Water Bowl)	First-place votes: 38
2	Delaware	10-1	28-6 vs. Western Illinois	Second-place votes: 22
3	Wittenberg	9-1	27-7 vs. Denison	Third-place votes: 15
4	North Dakota State	8-2	21-14 vs. Northern Iowa	Fourth-place votes: 10
5	California-Davis	9-1	20-14 vs. Cal Poly	Fifth-place votes: 8

This table highlights how final records and marquee victories influenced the AP rankings. Central Missouri State’s undefeated season and postseason win solidified their top position, while Delaware’s only loss came against a major college program, preserving their high ranking. Wittenberg and Cal-Davis both had strong seasons but were edged out due to fewer dominant wins. North Dakota State’s two losses kept them just outside the top three despite a strong conference performance.

Why It Matters

The 1964 small college football rankings remain historically significant for establishing legitimacy and visibility for non-major programs during a time when college football was increasingly media-driven.

National Recognition: The AP poll gave small college teams a platform to gain national attention, helping with recruitment and funding.
Historical Benchmark: The 1964 rankings serve as a reference point for comparing team performance across eras in lower-division college football.
Program Legitimacy: A top-3 finish, like Wittenberg’s, elevated a school’s athletic reputation for years.
Media Influence: The AP’s role underscored the growing impact of media in shaping perceptions of team success.
Division Evolution: These rankings helped justify the NCAA’s later split into Divisions II and III in 1973.
Legacy Building: Central Missouri State’s #1 ranking remains a point of pride and a milestone in the school’s athletic history.

Understanding the 1964 rankings provides insight into the development of college football’s competitive structure and the importance of national polls in shaping the sport’s landscape beyond the major programs.