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.