Alabama No. 1 in penultimate playoff poll, FSU drops

With Mississippi State going down, it was a matter of who would replace them in the playoff committee’s top four.

Alabama didn’t budge at No. 1, while Oregon also stayed put at second. TCU jumped Florida State for No. 3 as the Seminoles keep falling after winning. The committee also continues to ignore the fact that TCU was beaten by No. 6 Baylor.

Mississippi State dropped to No. 10 and Arizona could be in prime position to jump into the top four if they can pull of a third consecutive win over Oregon in the Pac 12 Championship game. Ohio State didn’t fall below fifth, even with the loss of its starting quarterback for the season.

In a few shorts days — Dec. 7, to be exact — this poll will actually matter. It’s hard to believe we’re already here.

Here is this week’s poll before the poll.
1. Alabama
2. Oregon
3. TCU
4. Florida State
5. Ohio State
6. Baylor
7. Arizona
8. Michigan State
9. Kansas State
10. Mississippi State
11. Georgia Tech
12. Mississippi
13. Wisconsin
14. Georgia
15. UCLA
16. Missouri
17. Arizona State
18. Clemson
19. Auburn
20. Oklahoma
21. Louisville
22. Boise State
23. Utah
24. LSU
25. USC