AP Poll - December 16, 1986
Poll 4 of 16 of the 1986-1987 season; Tennessee is No. 1 (up from No. 3).
| Rank | School | Conference | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tennessee | SEC | 2 |
| 2. | Louisiana Tech | Independent | - |
| 3. | Texas | Southwestern | 2 |
| 4. | Auburn | SEC | - |
| 5. | Rutgers | A-10 | - |
| 6. | USC | Pac-10 | - |
| 7. | Long Beach State | PCAA | - |
| 8. | Virginia | ACC | - |
| 9. | Georgia | SEC | - |
| 10. | LSU | SEC | - |
| 11. | Mississippi | SEC | 1 |
| 12. | Ohio State | Big 10 | 1 |
| 13. | Penn State | A-10 | 1 |
| 14. | Maryland | ACC | 2 |
| 15. | Illinois | Big 10 | 3 |
| 16. | Western Kentucky | Sun Belt | 5 |
| 17. | Iowa | Big 10 | - |
| 18. | James Madison | CAA | 3 |
| 19. | Vanderbilt | SEC | new |
| 20. | NC State | ACC | - |