The College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night moved Alabama to the top spot. Alabama, which was fifth a week ago, earned its promotion by beating the former No. 1 team, Mississippi State.

The loss didn’t damage the Bulldogs too badly. They’re now No. 4, and the top four in the final rankings to be released on Dec. 7 will reach this first-ever playoff to truly determine a national champion.

Alabama is 9-1. No. 2 Oregon is 9-1. So is Mississippi State. What’s missing from this puzzle? Hey, it’s No. 3 Florida State. Unbeaten. The defending national champion. And winner of 26 consecutive games.

The Seminoles were never No. 1 in the CFP rankings and dropped from second to third … after an unimpressive win. Emphasis on win. Which led coach Jimbo Fisher to observe, “I thought it was about winning.”

Sure, the Seminoles have had to come from behind too many times to be thought of as dominant, most recently last Saturday when they nipped Miami 30-26 after trailing 16-0. But they won, and they won on the road.

Much of the news from Tallahassee this season has been unfavorable, much of it about quarterback Jameis Winston’s antics and a variety of police investigations. Still … Defending champs, unbeaten, 26 consecutive victories.

“We feel like Alabama is the most complete team right now,” said Jeff Long, chair of the Playoff selection committee.

That may well be. But Alabama has lost. Oregon has lost. Mississippi State has lost. And Florida State? Defending national champion. A 10-0 record. Twenty six victories in a row. Doesn’t that count for something?