Mark Dantonio never gets caught up in the hoopla.

In the era of hype videos, social media and polls in college football, the Michigan State coach doesn’t buy into it. His head-to-the-ground philosophy is what helped turned the Spartans into a national power.

So it was no surprise that when he was asked about whether or not he’ll be watching the unveiling of the College Football Playoff poll on Tuesday night, Dantonio had this to say.

For the rest of us watching the unveiling of the only poll that actually matters, there will be interest to see who from the B1G starts off in the top four. Dantonio’s unbeaten Spartans certainly have a case to crack the top four, despite the fact that they find themselves at No. 6 in the Associated Press poll.

Michigan State does have arguably the top win of any B1G team. Ohio State and Iowa don’t have a top-15 road win to speak of. In fact, no remaining unbeaten team has a win of that caliber, crazy finish or not.

But Dantonio knows that the first eight games ultimately don’t determine Michigan State’s playoff aspirations. If MSU wins out, that’ll make the only case his team will need.

That story starts by taking care of Nebraska on Saturday in Lincoln.