Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State football ranked as the worst undefeated team in the country

Yeah, not so sure about this one.
ByConnor Muldowney|
Michigan State's Michael Masunas, left, celebrates his touchdown catch with Jack Velling against Youngstown State during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Michael Masunas, left, celebrates his touchdown catch with Jack Velling against Youngstown State during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Folks, #disrespekt season is back. If you're unfamiliar, that's a common hashtag on social media (including the purposeful misspelling) in Michigan State football -- and basketball -- circles.

The Spartans often feel disrespected on a national stage, so when pundits talk poorly about the basketball or football programs, the chip on the shoulder returns to the fanbase. It's a bit of a rallying cry, and it really paid off during the Mark Dantonio era, but the disrespect has grown over the past few years on the football side of things.

Michigan State hasn't made a bowl game since 2021, so there's a fair amount of disrespect being distributed the Spartans' way, but they are still 3-0 on the year and have scored 40 in back-to-back games for the first time since 2017.

ESPN simply doesn't care about that record, however.

The worldwide leader in sports did a ranking of all 39 undefeated teams in college football through three weeks, and Michigan State was dead last in the ranking behind teams like North Texas, UCF, Navy, Rutgers, Maryland, NC State, Cal, and UNLV. It makes no sense.

Listed as the worst undefeated team in the country, Michigan State now has to travel across the country to face one of the surprises of early-season action: USC. The Trojans are also 3-0, but they've only faced Missouri State, Georgia Southern, and Purdue. Not exactly a murderer's row.

To be the 39th-best (or worst) undefeated team out of 39 would mean that there are no redeemable qualities about this team. But that's not true.

Aidan Chiles looks great, the receiving corps is one of the best in the country, Jack Velling has come to life, the offensive line has been decent in the run-blocking aspect, special teams have been special, and the linebackers have been good. The only negative has been the secondary and defensive line. If that means the Spartans are the worst undefeated team through three weeks, so be it.

I'd love to see the reasoning behind this ranking.

Home/Spartans Football