Michigan State football ranked No. 24 in first 2017 College Football Playoff poll
Michigan State football came in at No. 24 in the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings released on Tuesday night.
Losing to Northwestern on Saturday night may have effectively ended any hope Michigan State had to make the College Football Playoff. Heck, being ranked in the Week 10 playoff rankings wasn’t a guarantee.
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However, with a 6-2 record and wins against Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana, the Spartans have been given some respect by the playoff committee.
In fact, Michigan State was ranked No. 24 in the initial playoff rankings of the 2017 season.
2️⃣1️⃣ Stanford
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) October 31, 2017
2️⃣2️⃣ Arizona
2️⃣3️⃣ Memphis
2️⃣4️⃣ Michigan State
2️⃣5️⃣ Washington State
The Spartans are the fourth-best team in the Big Ten, according to the rankings. They are behind Ohio State (6), Penn State (7) and Wisconsin (9). Do the Spartans still have a realistic shot of making the top 10 by the end of the season and pushing for a New Year’s Six bowl? Absolutely.
If Michigan State were to win out and head to the Big Ten title game, beating Wisconsin, that would make the Spartans 11-2 with wins over Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin. The four best teams in the conference outside of themselves, the Spartans would almost surely be considered as a New Year’s Six team and a long-shot for the top four — although it’s not inconceivable.
Next: MSU Football: Report card for loss to Northwestern
There’s still a long way to go, but Mark Dantonio’s team has enough talent to make a push at a New Year’s Six bowl. As long as Brian Lewerke continues to improve, anything is possible.