CiteDiv. 1–A Conference Champs
| Atlantic Coast | Maryland | 6–0 |
| Big Eight | Oklahoma | 7–0 |
| Big Ten | Iowa | 7–1 |
| Mid-American | Bowling Green | 9–0 |
| Pacific Coast AA | Fresno St. | 7–0 |
| Pacific-10 | UCLA | 6–2 |
| Southeastern | Tennessee‡ | 5–1 |
| Southwest | Texas A&M | 7–1 |
| Western Athletic | Air Force/BYU | 7–1 |
‡Florida (also 5–1) on probation, ineligible for SEC title and bowl game.
| Bowl Games with Top 20 Teams | 1985 College Football Recap | Heisman Trophy Voting |