What Is 1958 small college football rankings

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1958 small college football rankings were determined by the Associated Press (AP) and featured Prairie View A&M at No. 1 in the final poll. The rankings highlighted top teams from historically smaller or Black colleges, with Grambling and Kentucky State also ranked highly.

Key Facts

1958 small college football rankings were compiled by the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI).
Prairie View A&M finished No. 1 in the final AP poll with a perfect 10-0 record.
Grambling State, led by coach Eddie Robinson, finished No. 2 with a 9-1 record.
Kentucky State ranked No. 3 after winning the 1958 NAIA National Championship.
Rankings included historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and NAIA institutions.

Overview

The 1958 small college football rankings provided a national assessment of top-performing teams from smaller colleges and historically Black institutions. These rankings were distinct from the major college polls and focused on schools not part of the NCAA University Division, primarily HBCUs and NAIA members.

Compiled by outlets like the Associated Press and United Press International, the rankings highlighted excellence in programs that often received less national media attention. Prairie View A&M emerged as the dominant team, going undefeated and claiming the top spot in the final AP poll.

Prairie View A&M finished the 1958 season with a perfect 10-0 record, earning the No. 1 ranking in the final AP small college poll.
Grambling State, coached by Eddie Robinson, ended the season 9-1 and was ranked No. 2, losing only to Prairie View in a highly anticipated matchup.
Kentucky State secured the No. 3 spot after winning the 1958 NAIA National Championship with a 37-13 victory over Linfield College.
The rankings primarily included members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and other HBCUs, reflecting the segregation-era landscape of college football.
Unlike the major college poll, the small college rankings emphasized team consistency, strength of schedule, and postseason results from NAIA and small-college independents.

How It Works

The small college football rankings of 1958 were determined through a combination of expert voting and performance metrics. Sportswriters and coaches submitted ballots to the AP and UPI, which were then aggregated to form weekly rankings.

Ranking System: The AP and UPI used a points-based voting system where first-place votes carried the most weight. Final rankings reflected cumulative performance and voter consensus.
Eligibility: Only teams from NAIA institutions or HBCUs outside the NCAA University Division were eligible, excluding larger programs like Michigan State or LSU.
Season Length: Most ranked teams played 9 to 10 regular-season games, with postseason appearances in bowl games or NAIA playoffs factoring into final evaluations.
Coaching Impact: Legendary coaches like Eddie Robinson of Grambling influenced team performance and national perception, boosting their program’s ranking potential.
Media Coverage: Limited television exposure meant rankings relied heavily on regional newspapers and wire service reports for game summaries and updates.
Historical Context: In 1958, segregation still shaped college football; thus, small college rankings provided a platform for Black athletes and HBCUs to gain recognition.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the top five teams in the 1958 small college football rankings reveals key differences in records, affiliations, and postseason achievements.

Team	Final Rank	Record	Conference	Postseason Result
Prairie View A&M	1	10-0	SWAC	Won Prairie View Bowl
Grambling State	2	9-1	SWAC	Lost to Prairie View
Kentucky State	3	10-0-1	Independent	Won NAIA Championship
Delaware State	4	8-1	MEAC	No postseason bid
Wiley College	5	9-2	SWAC	Won Midwest Bowl

The table shows that undefeated seasons were common among top teams, but postseason success and conference strength played decisive roles in final rankings. Kentucky State’s national title gave them strong claim to the No. 3 spot despite Prairie View and Grambling’s dominance in the SWAC. The data also highlights how independent programs like Kentucky State could rise through national championship performance.

Why It Matters

The 1958 small college football rankings were significant for recognizing talent and excellence in underrepresented programs during a segregated era. These rankings preserved the legacy of HBCU football and helped elevate coaches and players who later influenced the integration of college sports.

Historical Recognition: The rankings provide a documented record of HBCU excellence at a time when mainstream media often overlooked these programs.
Player Development: Many athletes from ranked teams, such as those at Grambling, went on to play in the NFL and CFL, proving the caliber of small college football.
Coach Legacies: Eddie Robinson’s success at Grambling, reflected in the 1958 rankings, contributed to his eventual induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Integration Pathway: Strong performances in small college football helped break racial barriers, paving the way for integration in major college programs by the 1960s.
Media Influence: AP and UPI rankings gave HBCUs national visibility, increasing recruitment and fan support for historically Black institutions.
Scholarship Opportunities: High rankings led to increased funding and athletic scholarships, improving access to higher education for African American students.

Today, the 1958 rankings remain a vital part of college football history, illustrating how sports intersected with civil rights and educational equity during a transformative period in American society.