Michigan State is No. 3 in nfl.com college rankings

Michigan State usually fares pretty well in the various rankings when NFL types are doing them — they like the way coach Mark Dantonio runs the program.

And they like quarterback Connor Cook, whom many are projecting as the first quarterback taken in next year's NFL draft.

So maybe it's no surprise that the Spartans are No. 3 in nfl.com's "15 for '15" college football power rankings, behind only No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 TCU.

That would mean that MSU is worthy of next year's four-team College Football Playoff, right? Most other power rankings have them just missing it, at No. 5 or so.

What's to like about the Spartans?

Chase Goodbread of nfl.com writes: "The Spartans will be tough on defense once again, and quarterback Connor Cook will be a steady, veteran presence in close games. MSU will be strong on the line of scrimmage, especially offensively, and pass rusher Shilique Calhoun will harass Big Ten quarterbacks all season."

The only downside, he says, is "the Spartans secondary is a question mark, and in the age of quick-striking, spread offenses, that's the wrong place to be soft."

They also have to deal with the East Division-rival Buckeyes, whom they play Nov. 21 in Columbus.

Goodbread writes: "The reigning national champions return gobs of talent, and there might not be a Big Ten team other than Michigan State that can play within 10 points of the Buckeyes. With Ezekiel Elliott back at running back and a stout defense, this team is scary-good."

No other Big Ten school made the 15-team rankings.