Alabama takes No. 1 spot in AP poll

Alabamais No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll for the first time this season, replacing undefeated Florida Statein a vote that was about as close as it could get.

The Crimson Tide (11-1) received 25 of a possible 59 first-place votes from the media panel and 1,426 points. The Seminoles (12-0) have 29 first-place votes and 1,423 points.

The last time the No. 2 team had more first-place votes than the No. 1 team this late in the season was Nov. 25, 1968, when No. 1 Ohio Statehad 21 first-places votes to USC's24.

Alabama is No. 1 for the 72nd time overall and first since it lost last year's Iron Bowl. The Tide beat Auburn55-44 on Saturday.

It is also the seventh straight season the Crimson Tide has been No. 1 at some point, the longest such streak since Miamifrom 1986-92.

Florida State is the first team to lose the No. 1 ranking twice in a season since Penn Statein 1997.

The last time a No. 1 team had a loss and No. 2 was undefeated this late in the season was Nov. 27, 1993, when Florida State (11-1) held the top spot and Nebraska(11-0) was No. 2.

Those Seminoles, who lost to Notre Damea few weeks prior, went on to beat Nebraska in the Orange Bowl and win the national title.

No. 3 Oregonreceived five first-place votes in the latest poll.

TCUjumped two spot to No. 4. Baylorslipped one to No. 5 and Ohio State moved up one to No. 6. No. 7 is Michigan State, followed by Arizonaand Kansas State. Mississippi Statefell six places to No. 10 after losing to Ole Miss.

Alabama is the third team to hold the No. 1 ranking this season following Florida State, which was preseason No. 1, and Mississippi State, which held the top spot for five weeks.

The Tide and Seminoles played conference championship games on Saturday and both, along with Oregon, seem to have a clear path to the College Football Playoff if they win.