Michigan State just missed out on three straight Associated Press top-5 finishes for the second time in its history, finishing No. 6 in the final poll released this morning.
Mark Dantonio’s Spartans (12-2) were No. 3 entering the College Football Playoff but dropped three spots after losing, 38-0, to Alabama in the Dec. 31 Cotton Bowl semifinal. MSU finished No. 3 after the 2013 season and No. 5 after last season, giving the program three straight top-10 finishes for the first time since 1955-57 under Duffy Daugherty.
MSU had three straight top-5 finishes from 1951-53 under Biggie Munn, the final season marking the Spartans’ Big Ten debut.