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MSU football ranked fifth in AP preseason poll

August 25, 2015
<p>Junior quarterback Connor Cook looks to pass the ball Jan. 1, 2015, during The Cotton Bowl Classic football game against Baylor at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Spartans defeated the Bears and claimed the Cotton Bowl Victory, 42-41. Erin Hampton/The State News</p>

Junior quarterback Connor Cook looks to pass the ball Jan. 1, 2015, during The Cotton Bowl Classic football game against Baylor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Spartans defeated the Bears and claimed the Cotton Bowl Victory, 42-41. Erin Hampton/The State News

Photo by Erin Hampton | The State News

In what is MSU’s highest preseason ranking in the Preseason Associated Press Poll since 1967 (No. 3) the Spartans are ranked No. 5 in the AP poll which was released Sunday, Aug. 23.

This is MSU's second appearance in the Preseason AP Top 10 in as many years (No. 8 in 2014).

The Spartans have a 24-3 record since 2013. MSU is the only team in the nation to win a BCS game in 2013 and a New Year's Six game in 2014.

“Our focus remains on winning championships,” MSU head coach Mark Dantonio said in a press release. “Over the last two years, we have the third-winningest program in the country, so we’ve proven that we can consistently compete with the top teams in the country.

"We need embrace our preseason ranking and display the maturity it takes to manage the expectations. Ultimately, our success will be measured at the end of the season.”

The 2015 football team has 20 redshirt seniors and Dantonio has not shied away from setting the bar high for his senior class.

"We've always had great senior leadership and our expectations remain high for this year's senior class," Dantonio said. "When your seniors have their best seasons, then special things are possible. The challenge will be how we manage adversity and how we handle critical situations, both on and off the field. This team will go as our seniors go.

MSU is ranked No. 6 in the Preseason Amway Coaches Poll that was released last month. The Spartans open the 2015 season on Sept. 4 against Western Michigan.

The game is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

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