Michigan State Football: 3 hot takes from Week 6 road win vs. Rutgers

1. Michigan State actually has playoff aspirations

OK, this actually sounds insane, but after a 6-0 start to the season, Michigan State will likely be entering the top 10 on Sunday afternoon when the Week 7 AP Top 25 comes out. And you know what that means halfway through the season? It means that Michigan State is a legitimate College Football Playoff threat.

The Spartans have one of the best offenses in college football led by Payton Thorne, Kenneth Walker III, Jayden Reed, and Jalen Nailor but the defense could use some work.

The “bend but don’t break defense” may cost the Spartans against teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State, but for now, it’s been working. The pass defense has been playing soft all season long and that needs to change against better passing offenses than what Rutgers had with Noah Vedral, but the defensive line and linebackers (notably Cal Haladay) are solid.

Michigan State has a solid defensive front, an elite offense, and usually good special teams which equate to a really good team.

Believe it or not, the Spartans are in the playoff hunt heading into Week 7.