For the first time since 1965-66, MSU has finished in the top five in the final Associated Press Poll in consecutive seasons.
After coming away with a miraculous comeback victory over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day, the Spartans (11-2) are now tied for fifth in the rankings with Florida State (13-1), who were ousted in the college football playoff semifinals by Oregon (13-2).
MSU finished as the third highest ranked program following their win over Stanford in the Rose Bowl last year.
Ohio State (14-1), who came away with their first national championship since 2002, comes in ranked No. 1 in the country, followed by Oregon, TCU (12-1) and Alabama (12-2).
Baylor, the Big 12 co-conference champions with the Horned Frogs, winds up at No. 7 behind MSU and the Seminoles, followed by Georgia Tech, Georgia and UCLA.
Final AP Top 25 Poll
1. Ohio State 14-1
2. Oregon 13-2
3. TCU 12-1
4. Alabama 12-2
5. (Tie) Florida State 13-1
5. (Tie) Michigan State 11-2
7. Baylor 11-2
8. Georgia Tech 11-3
9. Georgia 10-3
10. UCLA 10-3
11. Mississippi State 10-3
12. Arizona State 10-3
13. Wisconsin 11-3
14. Missouri 11-3
15. Clemson 10-3
16. Boise State 12-2
17. Mississippi 9-4
18. Kansas State 9-4
19. Arizona 10-4
20. Southern Cal 9-4
21. Utah 9-4
22. Auburn 8-5
23. Marshall 13-1
24. Louisville 9-4
25. Memphis 10-3