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Where Michigan State football is ranked in way-too-early 2022 polls

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jordon Simmons (22) and offensive lineman Spencer Brown (58) and head coach Mel Tucker and tight end Connor Heyward (11) celebrate after a victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jordon Simmons (22) and offensive lineman Spencer Brown (58) and head coach Mel Tucker and tight end Connor Heyward (11) celebrate after a victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State football finished the 2021 season ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 2015. Where are the Spartans in the way-too-early 2022 polls?

For the first time since 2015, Michigan State football has finished the season ranked in the top 10, coming in at No. 9 in the final AP Top 25.

Mel Tucker turned the Spartans around in just one season and he has the transfer portal to thank for all of that success. He has shown his recruiting chops with the portal and he’s also bringing in the No. 17 recruiting class for 2022 which is going to help replace some departing talent such as Jalen Nailor, Kenneth Walker III, and Jacub Panasiuk.

It’s still very early, but a lot of sites are coming out with their way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2022 and Michigan State is appearing on all of them.

Where is Michigan State football listed in the early Top 25s?

After a successful season and after bringing in a top-20 recruiting class, many publications are high on the Spartans for 2022.

Here’s where they rank:

  • Sporting News has Michigan State ranked No. 15 and cited losing Kenneth Walker III as the reason for not being higher.
  • Sports Illustrated is higher on the Spartans, ranking them No. 11, behind only Michigan and Ohio State in the Big Ten.
  • Yahoo! Sports has Michigan State ranked No. 13 and stated that the team returns a lot and the defense should only get better which will help the Spartans push for a Big Ten title.
  • Brandon Marcello of 247Sports is arguably the highest on Michigan State, putting them at No. 7 in his way-too-early poll which makes the Spartans the second-highest ranked Big Ten team.
  • CBS Sports isn’t completely sold on the Spartans, putting them at No. 20.
  • ESPN is a big believer in Michigan State for 2022, projecting it at No. 10.
  • In my annual way-too-early Top 25 projection at Saturday Blitz, I listed the Spartans as the 14th-best team in the country.

Overall, a lot of respect coming the Spartans’ way from the top publications. This is unfamiliar territory for most MSU fans.

Next. MSU basketball: 5 bold predictions for January. dark

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