Ohio State remains #1, Michigan State still #2 in college football poll

The senior goaltender from Butler, Penn. had a tremendous season, earning First Team All-America honors to go along with being named the Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Goaltender of the Year.

Minnesota defeated the Wolverines in the Big Ten championship game last season and the Gophers were the lone representative in the NCAA Tournament’s 16-team field.

Michigan State remains number-two in the polls behind top ranked Ohio State following MSU’s 30-10 win Saturday over Central Michigan.

By virtue of its 31-0 shutout of previously ranked BYU, Michigan entered the AP Poll for the first time this year at 22 to join Northwestern (No. 16) and Wisconsin (No. 19) to give the Big Ten five ranked teams. The Badgers were sixth in the six-team league, behind fourth-place Penn State and fifth-place Ohio State. The Hoosiers last started a season 4-0 in 1990.

In the league preseason coaches’ poll, Michigan was chosen as the favorite to win the regular-season title, with Minnesota and Michigan State rounding out the top three.

Michigan was followed in the voting by Minnesota, Michigan State, Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

When the dust settles in December, there will probably a team from the Big Ten in the playoff; Statistically speaking, it’s a good bet, especially given everything that’s happened.

But to start unnecessarily declaring the conference is “back” because of one singular win – the Spartans’ over Oregon, which now looks a lot less impressive – falls nothing short of being irresponsible.

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.