Alabama's rise gives the SEC the top two teams in the country for the 10th time in the last four seasons.
The Tide beat Florida 38-10 on Saturday night in Gainesville, then received 12 first-place votes in the media rankings released Sunday.
LSU remained No. 1 for a second straight week, receiving 40 first-place votes and 1,473 points. Alabama had 1,435.
Oklahoma, which started the season No. 1 before slipping last week, got seven first-place votes.
Wisconsin also moved up after a big victory, jumping three spots to No. 4 after a 48-17 win against Nebraska.
In the USA Today coaches' poll, Oklahoma remained No. 1, whlie Alabama is second and LSU is third.