The first AP rankings are out and the Big Ten was able to get four teams ranked. The Big Ten has been considered by most to be the nation's top conference entering this season, but it was interesting to see how the media viewed the league in the first AP Poll.

Perhaps the most notable piece of news for the Big Ten was the top of the AP Poll, asthe Michigan State Spartans landed at No. 1 for the first time in program history in the preseason poll. Obviously, big things are expected out of East Lansing this year. Here’s where all the Big Ten teams landed:

Big Ten In The Preseason AP Poll:

• #1 - Michigan State
• #7 - Maryland
• #18 - Ohio State
• #23 - Purdue
• Receiving Votes - Illinois, Michigan

If you’ve been paying attention to the various other preseason publications, these rankings shouldn’t have been surprising. The Spartans were expected by most to land in the top five and teams like Maryland, Ohio State, and Purdue entered this season with momentum as well. Interestingly, this is the third time in four years that Michigan has failed to make it into the top 25 in the preseason poll. Obviously, things went well for the Wolverines thereafter.

We will see how the Big Ten does going forward, but it has to be exciting for Spartans fans to see their team atop the national polls. And with some marquee games early on, Michigan State will have a chance to defend its rankings out of the gate.

You can see the full AP Poll here.