Spartans Reclaim No. 1 Hockey Ranking

Michigan State's "championship or bust" season took another step in the right direction this weekend, as the Spartans salvaged a regular-season split with archrival Michigan and jumped the Wolverines for first place in the Big Ten with a convincing regulation win to regain control of their own destiny as they fight toward a third straight conference championship.

After beating the No. 1 team in the country over the weekend and knocking off a couple of other No. 1s earlier in the season, Michigan State has officially regained the top spot in the latest USCHO Top 20 poll.

Taking over the top spot in the polls heading into this week's bye! pic.twitter.com/YrLyswDwDH
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) February 9, 2026

Michigan State Returns to No. 1

The Spartans began the season ranked No. 3 and ascended to the No. 1 ranking in late October, earning 29 first-place votes with a 3-1-0 start and further establishing their hold on the position throughout the early stages of the season. Michigan State held the No. 1 ranking for five weeks before being on the wrong end of a weekend sweep against Wisconsin around Thanksgiving.

Aside from a loss to Michigan, MSU quickly built itself back up. Yet, just as it was within striking distance of the No. 1 ranking, Michigan State dropped another game to Ohio State, which, in hindsight, served as a wake-up call. The Spartans have won seven of their last eight games since that day, and easily could have been on an eight-game winning streak had it not been for an inexplicable third-period collapse that led to an overtime loss against Michigan on Friday night.

college hockey ranking — Michigan State's Tommi MŠnnistš moves the puck against Minnesota during the third period on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Still, MSU was able to re-establish itself as the top team in the Big Ten with Saturday's victory. Most seemed to believe the top of the poll would stay the same, but the Spartans did enough to change some minds.

The Spartans Against the Rest of the Poll

Another factor the Spartans have in their favor is their head-to-head record against teams that have been in the poll, particularly those that were among the top five when they played MSU.Michigan State is an impressive 10-5-1 in such meetings, including 4-2 against teams that have also been ranked No.1.

college hockey rankings — Michigan State's Trey Augustine stops an attempted Minnesota goal during the first period on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

They've also gone 4-0 against No. 6 Penn State and responded to the Wisconsin sweep with one of their own.

Obviously, after earning top regional seeds and winning back-to-back Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships, Michigan State's ultimate goal is much higher this season. But returning to the No. 1 ranking and putting its fate in its own control is a step in the right direction after a little bit of a midseason slip.

Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on Fears you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.

Never again miss one major story related to your beloved Spartans when you sign up for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes straight to your email with the latest news. SIGN UP HERE NOW