Week 1
Final
1981 Independent
MEM MSST
| Team | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
 Boston College | 5 | 6 | .455 |
 Cincinnati | 6 | 5 | .545 |
 East Carolina | 5 | 6 | .455 |
 Florida State | 6 | 5 | .545 |
 Georgia Tech | 1 | 10 | .091 |
 Louisiana-Monroe | 5 | 6 | .455 |
 Louisville | 5 | 6 | .455 |
 Memphis | 1 | 10 | .091 |
 Miami | 9 | 2 | .818 |
 UNLV | 6 | 6 | .500 |
 North Texas | 2 | 9 | .182 |
 Notre Dame | 5 | 6 | .455 |
 Penn State | 10 | 2 | .833 |
 Pittsburgh | 11 | 1 | .917 |
 Rutgers | 5 | 6 | .455 |
 South Carolina | 6 | 6 | .500 |
 Southern Miss | 9 | 2 | .818 |
 Syracuse | 4 | 6 | .400 |
 Temple | 5 | 5 | .500 |
 Tulane | 6 | 5 | .545 |
 Army | 3 | 7 | .300 |
 Navy | 7 | 4 | .636 |
 Virginia Tech | 7 | 4 | .636 |
 West Virginia | 9 | 3 | .750 |
Richmond | 4 | 7 | .364 |
William & Mary | 5 | 6 | .455 |
Holy Cross | 6 | 5 | .545 |
Colgate | 7 | 3 | .700 |
| Team | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
 Alabama | 9 | 2 | .818 |
 Auburn | 5 | 6 | .455 |
 Florida | 7 | 5 | .583 |
 Georgia | 10 | 2 | .833 |
 Kentucky | 3 | 8 | .273 |
 LSU | 3 | 7 | .300 |
 Ole Miss | 4 | 6 | .400 |
 Mississippi State | 8 | 4 | .667 |
 Tennessee | 8 | 4 | .667 |
 Vanderbilt | 4 | 7 | .364 |
Game Summary
The Mississippi State Bulldogs emerged victorious over the Memphis Tigers, 20 to 3, on September 5, 1981.