Michigan State Football: Where will Spartans be in first 2021 playoff rankings?

Tuesday is a big day for Michigan State football fans. The first edition of the 2021 College Football Playoff rankings will be released at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Before the year, this first playoff ranking reveal wasn’t even on Michigan State fans’ radars, but things have changed rather quickly. The Spartans are 8-0 on the season after taking down No. 6 Michigan in Week 9 and they’re ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25.

It’s hard to believe that this team was projected to finish last in the Big Ten East by some “experts” and Vegas had the win total over/under set at 4.5, but the Spartans have smashed all expectations thanks to Mel Tucker’s coaching and some transfer portal magic.

After taking down Michigan, some believe that the Spartans are worthy of being in that top four in the first playoff poll ahead of teams like Cincinnati, Oklahoma, and even Ohio State.

However, no one knows for sure how much the playoff committee will value the Spartans’ 8-0 start with just two ranked wins (one of those is a team no longer in the Top 25).

Where do I believe Michigan State football will be ranked in the first playoff poll?

Where will Michigan State football land in the first playoff poll?

It seems like most experts are projecting a Michigan State team in that top four in the first poll. As we know by now, the AP Poll is not the same as the playoff rankings — ever — and we should expect some surprises near the top.

For example, the committee might be more impressed with Michigan State’s win over Michigan than any victory on Cincinnati, Oklahoma, or Ohio State’s schedule. Heck, you could even throw Alabama into that mix as well.

I believe that the committee will give a lot of respect to the Spartans because they beat a Miami team with a healthy D’Eriq King on the road by 17 points and also came back to out-tough Michigan behind Heisman-contending running back Kenneth Walker III’s five touchdowns.

Projecting Michigan State’s potential rank isn’t easy, but I’m going to say the Spartans come in at No. 4 behind Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State, and right ahead of Oklahoma and Cincinnati which will be the first two out.

Not a bad spot to be in the initial playoff rankings and destiny is in the Spartans’ own hands.