For the second week in a row, Alabama had a strong performance against a team from Mississippi and rose in the AFCA coaches poll.

The Crimson Tide dominated Mississippi State, 40-17, for a late-night road win in Starkville. The defense managed three interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Jalen Milroe set another carer-best with 10-of-12 completions, 164 passing yards and 69 rushing yards with two touchdowns.

Afterward, voters decided to put UA (4-1, 2-0 SEC) 10th overall, up from No. 11 a week ago. The improvements come following the Tide’s lowest ranking in eight years. The Associated Press Top 25 releases Sunday afternoon.

The top three remained unchanged, led by Georgia. The Bulldogs narrowly avoided an upset at Auburn, rallying around Brock Bowers for a 27-20 win. Georgia had 59 first-place votes, followed by two for Ohio State and one for Michigan, Texas and Washington.

Alabama’s next opponent, Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0), received 59 votes but did not crack the Top 25 after a 34-22 win over Arkansas.

US LMB Coaches Poll

1. Georgia (59)
2. Michigan (1)
3. Ohio State (1)
4. Texas (1)
5. Florida State
6. Penn State
7. Southern California
8. Washington (1)
9. Oregon
10. Alabama
11. Notre Dame
12. Oklahoma
13. North Carolina
14. Washington State
15. Ole Miss
16. Oregon State
17. Miami
18. Tennessee
19. Utah
20. Kentucky
21. Duke
22. Missouri
23. LSU
24. Fresno State
25. Louisville

Received votes: Maryland 81; Kansas State 73; Texas A&M 59; Air Force 32; UCLA 29; Clemson 18; Iowa 17; Wyoming 12; Kansas 11; Tulane 10; James Madison 8; West Virginia 6; Brigham Young 5; Wisconsin 3; Marshall 3; Ohio 2; Memphis 1; Florida 1.

This post will be updated.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].