College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 4

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Sep 24, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Jamal Lyles (11) has pass broken up by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jack Cichy (48) during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

The Spartans looked listless against Wisconsin in a 24-point home loss on Saturday. But while the defeat hurts Michigan State’s position in the Big Ten, it probably won’t drop more than seven spots in the AP poll this week. The Badgers field one of the best defenses in the FBS, and they were ranked 11th coming into the contest, so it wasn’t as though MSU lost in a clear upset. Tyler O’Connor’s three interceptions and a fumble returned for a touchdown on the Spartans’ first drive of the second half spelled doom.

With Ohio State and Michigan both looking strong in the Big Ten East, the Spartans will fall further back in the pollsters’ consciousness unless they can rebound quickly from this setback. They take on Indiana next week before finishing the non-conference schedule against BYU on October 8. But MSU’s schedule provides them a path to return to the Big Ten championship game, with Michigan and Ohio State both having to travel to East Lansing.

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