The preseason USA Today Coaches Poll was released on Tuesday. The Michigan State Spartans face a daunting task ahead this season based on the results, as four teams on the schedule made the initial top-25, and two other opponents were among the teams also receiving votes.
The full results of the preseason poll are below with fellow Big Ten programs in italics and teams on the schedule in bold:
- Alabama
- Clemson
- Oklahoma
- Georgia
- Texas A&M
- Notre Dame
- Iowa State
- North Carolina
- Cincinnati
- Florida
- Oregon
- LSU
- USC
- Texas
- Washington
- Oklahoma State
- UL Lafayette
- Coastal Carolina
- Ole Miss
Others Receiving Votes:
Utah 145; Northwestern Wildcats 120; Arizona State 90; Auburn 84; Liberty 68; Brigham Young 53; Texas Christian 48; Michigan Wolverines 30; Central Florida 29; NC State 27; Boise State 27; Kentucky 20; San Jose State 18; Army 13; Virginia Tech 9; Missouri 8; UCLA 7; Tulsa 6; Pittsburgh 6; Boston College 6; Houston 5; Ball State 5; West Virginia 4; Southern Methodist 4; Appalachian State 4; UAB 3; Arkansas 3; Nevada 2; Mississippi State 2; Air Force 2; Stanford 1; Marshall 1; Florida State 1; California 1.