Landon Collins (26) leads a stout Alabama defense. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)
A win over previously No. 1 Mississippi State vaulted Alabama from a position outside of the national semifinals to the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.
In the latest standings released by the CFP committee Tuesday, the Crimson Tide (9-1) are on top after a 25-20 victory over the Bulldogs. Mississippi State (9-1) slipped to No. 4 but remains in line for a shot at the national title.
The top four teams as selected by a 12-person panel will earn berths in the inaugural college football semifinals to be played in the Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. The winners advance to the national title game, Jan. 12 in Arlington, Texas.
Oregon (9-1) remained No. 2 after a bye week. Florida State (10-0) stayed at No. 3 following a 30-26 victory over Miami.
TCU (9-1) was the team bumped from a playoff position due to Alabama’s rise. The Horned Frogs fell from No. 4 to No. 5.
Ohio State (9-1) jumped two places to No. 6 after beating Minnesota 31-24.
Rounding out the top 10 are No. 7 Baylor (8-1), No. 8 Ole Miss (8-2), No. 9 UCLA (8-2) and No. 10 Georgia (8-2).
The second 10 consists of No. 11 Michigan State (8-2), No. 12 Kansas State (7-2), No. 13 Arizona State (8-2), No. 14 Auburn (7-3), No. 15 Arizona (8-2), No. 16 Wisconsin (8-2), No. 17 Utah (7-3), No. 18 Georgia Tech (9-2), No. 19 Southern California (7-3) and No. 20 Missouri (8-2).
No. 21 Oklahoma (7-3), No. 22 Clemson (7-3), No. 23 Nebraska (8-2), No. 24 Louisville (7-3) and No. 25 Minnesota complete the CFP ratings.
One of the two unbeaten teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, Marshall (10-0), is unranked.
The four semifinalists will be announced Dec. 7, the day after most major conferences play their championship games.
