Michigan State Football: Top 30 games in school history

Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) celebrates a win over the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

6. MSU vs. Michigan (2015)

You know those games where you will always remember where you were and exactly what you were doing? Well, this happens to be a prime example.

For the first time in years, the Michigan Wolverines were looking like the alpha dog in the rivalry — it hadn’t been since 2012 in which the Wolverines had won. Both teams played an incredibly tight game, but the Spartans didn’t lead once throughout.

Big plays took place on both sides, but there was plenty of controversy as well. First off, Michigan’s Joe Bolden was ejected on a very questionable targeting call which should have gone without a dismissal of the senior linebacker. Next, it was a one-yard touchdown run on fourth down by Sione Houma that should have been blown dead after he was stuffed, but weaseled his way past the goal-line for a “score” after about 10-15 seconds.

All of that led up to the final couple minutes of the game. This was one of the greatest endings in college football history.

Michigan State had failed to convert a 4th-and-long, turning the ball over to Michigan with just about two minutes left. The Wolverines had to just run out the clock and the game was over, 23-21, in one of the best contests in recent memory between the two teams.

Then Jalen Watts-Jackson happened.

Ten seconds remained and Michigan had to punt the ball away and then celebrate. The Spartans had no one back to return and were rushing all 11 guys. Michigan punter Blake O’Neill had trouble with the low snap and the rest is history.

Final: Michigan State 27, Michigan 23

Next: 5. MSU vs. Stanford (2014)