Michigan State football shockingly low in CBS Sports preseason rankings

This is normally the time of the offseason when all of the top programs across the country are eagerly anticipating the release of the preseason top 25 college football rankings. Unfortunately for Michigan State football, we know the Spartans won't be included.

However, some organizations release preseason rankings that go far beyond the top 25, and that's when we can get an idea as to how others view Michigan State heading into their first season under Jonathan Smith.

CBS Sports is the latest organization to release their preseason college football rankings, and where they ranked Michigan State feels a little low to me.

According to CBS Sports, Michigan State is the No. 63 team in the country as we head into the 2024 season.

Now don't get me wrong, we all know that Michigan State doesn't deserve to be in the top 25 or even that particularly close to it right now, but No. 63 feels disrespectful. Especially considering the teams directly above MSU.

First you have Illinois and Northwestern, two Big Ten teams I think MSU is for sure better than. I could see an argument for someone to say Illinois is better, but there is no scenario out there where Northwestern is.

Then you also see Oregon State directly above Michigan State as well. We all know how much the Beavers' program lost this offseason as the Spartans took their head coach, star quarterback Aidan Chiles and starting center and tight end. But Oregon State lost many other great players to other programs as well, so I for one would be shocked to see the Beavers even flirt with bowl eligibility this season.

If it were up to me I'd probably put Michigan State somewhere around No. 40 right now. I think the potential for the team is there to win seven or eight games with all the new talent that has transferred into the program. I also think Smith and his coaching staff are much better than what we previously had with Mel Tucker.

The good thing for MSU is that they get to prove it on the field very soon. And even better is they'll have some serious tests early on. Two of Michigan State's first four games are on the road against power four teams in Maryland and Boston College. Both of those teams also happen to be above MSU in these rankings as well.

So if MSU can survive these first four games unscathed then we will see a top 25 Michigan State team welcome Ohio State to East Lansing during their week five matchup. Now that would be an exciting matchup.