Michigan State is ranked No. 7 in the Sports Illustrated Top 25 preseason college football rankings.

Defending national champion Ohio State tops the rankings, followed by No. 2 Auburn, No. 3 TCU and No. 4 Notre Dame.

Sports Illustrated on the Spartans: “Michigan State is a team with top-shelf players and top-end consistency worthy of championship expectations. Senior quarterback Connor Cook, a potential first-rounder next April, has thrown 32 more touchdowns than interceptions the last two years. Tackle Jack Conklin, a 6-6, 317-pound junior who could have been drafted in round one last spring, anchors a line that allowed only 11 sacks in 2014. Defensive end Shilique Calhoun also returned, to boost a unit that has allowed just 18.3 points per game since 2010.” - Read more at DetNews.com