There are 128 teams that play at the highest level of college football, and they all start the season undefeated.
But the harsh reality is that only 11 have a legitimate chance to win the 2016 College Football Playoff. Those contenders have had their cases covered in detail, but what about the other potential championship-caliber teams? Why were they not included as contenders?
In this third installment of a seven-part series, let's take a look at one of those championship-caliber teams that doesn't quite make the playoff cut: the Michigan State Spartans.
The Green and White won the second-most games in school history last season (12) and rank fourth in wins by FBS teams since 2013 (36). That trend might suggest this program is still among the elite, but the past doesn't foretell this club's performance in 2016.