Best teams to never make College Football Playoffs

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: A general view of the CPF National Championship midfield logo before the College Football Playoff National Championship football game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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Tony Lippett (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Best teams to never make CFB Playoffs: 5. Michigan State, 2014

Considered one of the best teams in the nation before the start of the 2014 season, Michigan State was ranked number 8 in the nation. The lofty expectations that were heaped on their shoulders were tempered down considerably once they were handed a 19 point loss at the hands of number 3 Oregon.

Eventually, Michigan State would shrug that loss to the side and reel off six straight wins before falling short against number 14 Ohio State by 12 points. And while the Spartans would close the year strong, winning four straight, including the season finale against number 5 Baylor, it wasn’t enough to carry them into the College Football Playoffs.

From a statistical standpoint, Michigan State checked all the boxes. They ranked seventh in points per game, averaging 43 a night. The Spartans were also easily one of the most prolific offenses in all of College Football that season, averaging over 500 total yards a game. To top it off, they were stingy on defense, especially in terms of stopping the run, allowing only 97.5 a night.

From top to bottom, Michigan State was simply a terrific team.

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