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Michigan State Football: 5 best Dantonio era moments in Michigan rivalry

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson #20 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the football into to end zone for the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the final seconds of college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson #20 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the football into to end zone for the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the final seconds of college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 17: The Michigan State Spartans celebrate in the end zone after defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson #20 scored the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the final seconds of college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 17: The Michigan State Spartans celebrate in the end zone after defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson #20 scored the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the final seconds of college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Trouble with the snap (2015)

How can this not be No. 1? This is arguably the most memorable moment in Michigan State football history thanks to the improbability of the situation.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 takeaways from Penn State win

Let’s set the scene. Michigan mounted a 23-21 lead after a hard-fought defensive battle that was arguably one of the most evenly-played games in the rivalry’s history. Punter Blake O’Neill was having one of the best games of his career and could end the game by just catching and getting the ball out with 10 seconds left with no return man back for the Spartans.

Mark Dantonio decided to send an all-out block which seemed to put pressure on O’Neill as he dropped the snap (or had trouble with it) and was hit while trying to pick the ball back up to get it off and it landed in the waiting hands of Jalen Watts-Jackson who returned it about 38 yards for the game-winning score as time expired.

Just relive the madness here:

The Spartans went on to make the College Football Playoff in 2015 though they got dismantled by Alabama.

Next. Top 25 MSU football players of Mark Dantonio era. dark

If it weren’t for that trouble with the snap, the Spartans wouldn’t have been able to snag a Big Ten title and make it to college football’s most prestigious stage.

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