The Times’ college football rankings: Alabama is No. 1

The ranking has a new look this week after Baylor, Stanford, Louisiana State and Utah got clipped last week. There are impostors living as national title contenders, but the playoff selection committee at this point has no choice but to elevate some teams that would be tied for fourth if they were members of the Pac-12 South.

1; Alabama 9-1; Rankman had dream last night where Bear peered down from white tower and smiled. (3)

2; Clemson 10-0; In advance of Wake Forest, coach says he can’t believe his players never heard of Arnold Palmer. (1)

3; Ohio State 10-0; This season’s Florida State: undefeated, unspectacular defending champs with quarterback issues. (2)

4; Notre Dame 9-1; Hoping Irish can wrap one around Pesky Pole this week at Fenway Park. (4)

5; Oklahoma State 10-0; Not sure how you got here, but congratulations and please take a mint. (7)

6; Iowa 10-0; Inspiring story except on campus where 9,000 student tickets remained unsold Monday. (10)

7; Oklahoma 9-1; California invites Sooners to Berkeley for off-season seminar on how to beat Texas. (16)

8; Michigan State 9-1; Status of Cook’s throwing shoulder is “great,” “feels good,” and “I’m not going to answer that.” (11)

9; Florida 9-1; Eight games played in state of Florida this season ties record previously held by Florida. (12)

10; North Carolina 9-1; Blue-hot Atlantic Coast Conference team otherwise known as “Clemson’s worst nightmare.” (18)

11; Stanford 8-2; Center snap perfected by most kids in league founded by former coach Pop Warner. (5)

12; Baylor 8-1; Reminds Rankman of famous quote: “You can fool some of the people all of the time…” (6)

13; Texas Christian 9-1; If Boykin can’t play, this week’s game will be over Sooner rather than later. (13)

14; Utah 8-2; After double-overtime win, Arizona fan screamed, “Our canyon is better than yours too!” (9)

15; Navy 8-1; Off to best start since black-and-white days of Camelot and Staubach. (20)

16; Michigan 8-2; Unusual scheduling has team closing with Penn State … Ohio State … Quaker State? (14)

17; Houston 10-0; Ready to secede from Texas and form own undefeated, independent football state. (17)

18; Florida State 8-2; Last year at this time we knew all the stats and names of key players. (19)

19; Northwestern 8-2; Needs one win to eclipse basketball team’s victory total from 2007-08. (21)

20; Oregon 7-3; Might have flown home without plane after Stanford, but it’s duck season. (23)

21; Louisiana State 7-2; McNeese State (9-0) called to see if it could reschedule game wiped out by weather. (8)

22; USC 7-3; Campaign #Helton2016 tells staffers it’s funded up to 12:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday. (24)

23; Wisconsin 8-2; Many people consider loss to Alabama the Badgers’ best win this season. (25)

24; Washington State 7-3; Hoping for rematch against Portland State in first round of 1-AA playoffs. (NR)

25; UCLA 7-3; Coached erred pregame when he told team, “We need to play a complete 59 minutes 57 seconds !” (22)

Dropped out: Temple (15).

Moved in: Washington State.