Cal Haladay
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 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

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Spencer Holstege (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan State at Purdue 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 05:33 PM EDT

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs on his way to scoring a 94-yard touchdown against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Michigan State won 31-13. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Tucker, Michigan State among biggest surprises in Big Ten

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 19, 2021 03:56 PM EDT

Michigan State players celebrate following an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Michigan State won 20-15. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 10 Spartans stay perfect with 20-15 win at Indiana

By Michael Marot Oct. 16, 2021 03:55 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

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

Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe looks to throw a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 17 Mich St beats W Kentucky 48-31, best start since 2015

By Larry Lage Oct. 02, 2021 11:28 PM EDT

Michigan State defensive tackle Simeon Barrow (8) and defensive tackle Kyle King (54) tackle Northwestern running back Andrew Clair during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Michigan State won 38-21. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Western Michigan at Michigan 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 12:51 AM EDT