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College Football Rankings 2016: Week 4 AP Poll winners and losers

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals linebacker Lamar Atkins (46) reacts during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Papa John
Sep 17, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals linebacker Lamar Atkins (46) reacts during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Papa John /
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Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) walks off the field after a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) walks off the field after a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Michigan State Spartans (No. 12 up to No. 8)

You have to be impressed with what Michigan State did to Notre Dame in Week 3. Forget the final score of 36-28, the Spartans manhandled the No. 18 Fighting Irish in South Bend, taking a 36-7 lead in the third quarter over Notre Dame before coasting and getting too conservative later on in the game.

Michigan State went from No. 12 in the polls to No. 8 and you just can’t count this team out for as long as Mark Dantonio is the head coach. No one gave the 12th-ranked Spartans a chance to win on the road, but that’s just how Michigan State likes it. The underdog status is what this program thrives in most.

During that 36-0 run Michigan State had in the second and third quarters after falling behind 7-0 early on, the Spartans showed a willingness to blitz DeShone Kizer and make him uncomfortable in the pocket. After they took that big lead, the blitzing ceased and Kizer did whatever he wanted against the defense.

When Kizer was given all day to throw, he did just that, connecting on short and intermediate routes against a Charming-soft coverage. He gashed MSU’s secondary for 344 yards and a few touchdowns, but Michigan State’s Tyler O’Connor got the last laugh.

O’Connor has started three career games, winning two on the road against No. 3 Ohio State last year and against No. 18 Notre Dame this year. Quite a track record already.

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