Jayden Reed
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

Michigan State players celebrate a win after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game between Pittsburgh and Michigan State, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Atlanta. Michigan State won 31-21. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Michigan State WR Jayden Reed returning in 2022

Jan. 04, 2022 06:50 PM EST

Michigan State players embrace after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game between Pittsburgh and Michigan State, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Atlanta. Michigan State won 31-21. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Thorne leads No. 11 Spartans past No. 13 Pitt in Peach Bowl

By Charles Odum Dec. 30, 2021 11:05 PM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, left, throws a pass for a touchdown against Michigan State's Dashaun Mallory (94) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 12 Michigan State bounces back, beats Penn State 30-27

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 27, 2021 07:09 PM EST

Michigan State players walk through the tunnel before an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Penn State at Michigan State 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 03:27 PM EST

Rutgers defensive lineman Aaron Lewis (71) tries to tackle Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 12 Michigan State looks to rebound vs. Penn State

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2021 09:00 AM EST

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud drops back to pass against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan State at Ohio State 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 02:23 PM EST

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) is chased by Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still (12) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Thorne, Walker help No. 8 Michigan State beat Maryland 40-21

By Larry Lage Nov. 13, 2021 07:47 PM EST

Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still (12) breaks up a pass intended for Michigan State wide receiver Tre Mosley (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Maryland at Michigan State 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 05:59 PM EST

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker yells from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 8 Michigan State looks to tighten defense vs. Maryland

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 11, 2021 10:52 AM EST

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker, right, is congratulated by athletic director Alan Haller following a 37-33. win over Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan St stays perfect on the season, eyes Big Ten title

By Bob Tripi Oct. 31, 2021 03:20 PM EDT

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III celebrates his touchdown against Michigan during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Walker-led No. 8 Michigan St tops No. 6 Michigan 37-33

By Larry Lage Oct. 30, 2021 04:24 PM EDT

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, left, rushes against Nebraska's Caleb Tannor, right, as Michigan State's Connor Heyward (11) blocks during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
More than bragging rights: No. 6 Michigan, No. 8 Michigan St

By Larry Lage Oct. 28, 2021 03:09 PM EDT

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Michigan State won 20-15. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 6 Michigan, No. 8 Michigan State meet with high stakes

By The Associated Press Oct. 28, 2021 02:03 PM EDT

Indiana's Stephen Carr (5) is tackled by Michigan State's Angelo Grose (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Ball State at Eastern Michigan 10/16/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 01:45 PM EDT

Maryland wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr. is carted off the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Injuries highlight risk in having top players return kicks

By Noah Trister Oct. 12, 2021 06:23 PM EDT

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker yells during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Western Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 48-31. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 11 Michigan State looks for 6th straight, faces Rutgers

By The Associated Press Oct. 07, 2021 03:22 PM EDT

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker yells during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Western Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 48-31. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 11 Michigan State at Rutgers, seeks sixth straight win

By Tom Canavan Oct. 07, 2021 01:30 PM EDT

Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith (12) looks to tackle Indiana wide receiver Jacolby Hewitt (2) in the second quarter of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 4 Penn State at No. 3 Iowa highlights Big Ten schedule

By Eric Olson Oct. 07, 2021 03:10 AM EDT

Penn State returner Jahan Dotson (5) breaks away from Indiana's Jonathan Haynes (17) on a punt return during the fourth quarter of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Big Ten powers surge into October

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 04, 2021 03:14 AM EDT