The first preseason college football rankings have been released for 2011 with the first edition of the USA Today Coaches Poll. The poll features a total of five Big Ten teams, including the Michigan State Spartans. MSU is ranked 17th, one spot behind Ohio State and one spot ahead of rival Notre Dame. Wisconsin is the highest Big Ten team at No. 10 and Nebraska is one spot behind at No. 11. Penn State is ranked 25th.
Here's a look at the full poll (first-place votes are included in parentheses):
1. Oklahoma (42)
2. Alabama (13)
3. Oregon (2)
4. LSU (2)
5. Florida State
6. Stanford
7. Boise State
8. Oklahoma State
9. Texas A&M
10. Wisconsin
11. Nebraska
12. South Carolina
13. Virginia Tech
14. Arkansas
15. TCU
16. Ohio State
17. Michigan State
18. Notre Dame
19. Auburn
20. Mississippi State
21. Missouri
22. Georgia
23. Florida
24. Texas
25. Penn State
The Michigan Wolverines are included in the "Others receiving votes" category. They are the ninth team on the list, meaning they are ranked 34th in the nation.