Jalen Nailor
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

Rutgers defensive lineman Aaron Lewis (71) tries to tackle Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
No. 12 Michigan State looks to rebound vs. Penn State

By The Associated Press Nov. 26, 2021 09:00 AM EST

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker yells from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 8 Michigan State looks to tighten defense vs. Maryland

By Dana Gauruder Nov. 11, 2021 10:52 AM EST

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson, right, is tackled by Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still after making a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. Penn State won 31-14. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Catching on: Big Ten receivers putting up some big numbers

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 09, 2021 02:58 PM EST

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III celebrates his touchdown against Michigan during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Walker-led No. 8 Michigan St tops No. 6 Michigan 37-33

By Larry Lage Oct. 30, 2021 04:24 PM EDT

Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson warms up before an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Michigan at Michigan State 10/30/2021

Oct. 30, 2021 11:55 AM EDT

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III, left, rushes against Nebraska's Caleb Tannor, right, as Michigan State's Connor Heyward (11) blocks during overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 23-20 in overtime. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
More than bragging rights: No. 6 Michigan, No. 8 Michigan St

By Larry Lage Oct. 28, 2021 03:09 PM EDT

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Bloomington, Ind. Michigan State won 20-15. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 6 Michigan, No. 8 Michigan State meet with high stakes

By The Associated Press Oct. 28, 2021 02:03 PM EDT

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs past Rutgers linebacker Drew Singleton during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Michigan State won 31-13. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
No. 10 Spartans visit Indiana as title hopes take shape

By The Associated Press Oct. 14, 2021 12:45 PM EDT

Colorado State's Cayden Camper, left, and Keith Williams celebrate Camper's field goal against Toledo during an NCAA college football game in Toledo, Ohio, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (Rebecca Benson/The Blade via AP)
STAT WATCH: Field goals coming in bunches for Rams' kicker

By Eric Olson Oct. 11, 2021 02:23 AM EDT

Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) is forced out of bounds by Rutgers defensive back Tre Avery during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY: MSU's Nailor has 221 yards receiving

By The Associated Press Oct. 09, 2021 10:09 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne throws a touchdown pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Nailor catches 3 TDs, No. 11 Michigan State tops Rutgers

By Tom Canavan Oct. 09, 2021 03:45 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne throws a touchdown pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Michigan State at Rutgers 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 01:47 PM EDT

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez celebrates his rushing touchdown against Michigan State during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
OT interception lifts No. 20 Spartans over Nebraska 23-20

By Matt Schoch Sep. 25, 2021 11:03 PM EDT

Miami defensive lineman Chantz Williams (33) sacks Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Reaves)
Spartans run: Michigan State rolls past No. 24 Miami, 38-17

By Tim Reynolds Sep. 18, 2021 04:05 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne throws a 75-yard touchdown pass off a flea-flicker on the first play from scrimmage against Youngstown State in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Thorne passes for 4 TDs, Michigan State rolls Youngstown St

Sep. 11, 2021 03:36 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne throws a 75-yard touchdown pass off a flea-flicker on the first play from scrimmage against Youngstown State in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Youngstown State at Michigan State 9/11/2021

Sep. 11, 2021 01:51 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 23, 2021, file photo, Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker talks to reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Tucker is entering his second season at Michigan State, but it seems as if he is starting over with an influx of transfers such as former Temple quarterback Anthony Russo. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Michigan State leaves Northwestern guessing as it prepares

By Larry Lage Aug. 31, 2021 04:58 PM EDT

Michigan State wide receiver Jalen Nailor (8) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammates during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan State at Penn State 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 01:47 PM EST