Welcome back to the College Football Playoff rankings, Spartan fans.
It's the first time MSU is ranked in the poll since it made the actual playoff in 2015. The Spartans were not ranked at all in 2016 when they went 3-9.
Football debuts in CFP poll as No. 24
Sophomore defensive end Kenny Willekes (48) holds up the football after recovering a fumble during the game against Northwestern on Oct. 28, 2017, at Ryan Field. The Spartans fell to the Wildcats, 39-31, in 3OT.
—The No. 24 ranking is the same spot the AP poll had the Spartans earlier this week.
The committee's current top six had one Big Ten team, No. 6 Ohio State. The projected semifinal matchup tentatively is No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Clemson and No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 3 Notre Dame.
Of course, the poll means little with a number of games yet to be placed, including conference champions.
The newly-minted No. 24 MSU (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) takes on No. 7 Penn State (7-1, 4-1) at 12 p.m. Saturday.
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