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Michigan State Football: 10 most painful losses of Mark Dantonio era

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 21: Darqueze Dennard #31 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass intended for DeVarius Daniels #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 21, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 17-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 21: Darqueze Dennard #31 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass intended for DeVarius Daniels #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 21, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 17-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 31: Running back Derrick Henry #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide stiff arms defensive end Shilique Calhoun #89 and then runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 31: Running back Derrick Henry #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide stiff arms defensive end Shilique Calhoun #89 and then runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

4. Alabama rolls Spartans (2015)

Now we’re getting into the really painful stuff.

Alabama is just that team that no one wants to see in the postseason — other than Clemson right now. The Spartans met the Crimson Tide in 2010 after going 11-1 in the regular season but were stomped in the Capital One Bowl.

Five years later, this rematch seemed a little more even, especially since it was in the College Football Playoff with a national title game berth on the line.

If fans were expecting a closer battle than the previous matchup, they got it — just barely. Instead of losing by 40-plus, Michigan State was blanked 38-0 and sent home with its tail between its legs. It was one of those games that still stings Michigan State fans to this day.

If Connor Cook throws a touchdown pass instead of an interception in the red zone at the end of the first half, would things have been any different? It would have made the score 10-7, giving Michigan State some momentum. Who knows.

Either way, this game was a disaster and Michigan State looked to give up in the second half.

Raise your hand if your New Year’s Eve was ruined because of this game. Everyone? That’s what I figured.

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