Fansided

5 emblematic college football plays from the 2015 regular season

By Dani Bostick

Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (5) congratulates running back Jalin Marshall (7) after his touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (5) congratulates running back Jalin Marshall (7) after his touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jalen Watts-Jackson (20) dives into the end zone for a game winning touchdown as the clock runs out in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Michigan State 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Michigan State vs. Michigan surprise

A play called a miracle, might not belong on a top plays list, especially since this particular play was less indicative of skill than it was lack of skill. Still, it earns a spot on the Top 7. (Any play that results in a news outlet reporting the wrong victor because they didn’t watch the last few seconds has to make the list.)

It’s the last play of the game, and there is really no way the Michigan Jim Harbaughs– er Wolverines– can lose. Somehow, though, they did just that. If you look up “Snatches defeat from the jaws of victory” in the dictionary, you should find this video:

Even though the main attraction of this play is Michigan’s ineptitude, Michigan State deserves credit for staying alert when it was pretty much delusional to think the Wolverines could lose. Ten seconds left, and all that Michigan needed to do was punt the ball properly to secure a 21-23 victory and the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Instead, there was a fumble and a heads-up play by Michigan State that resulted in a touchdown and secured the Spartans a 27-23 victory over their nemesis.

Months after the mid-October play, fans still discussed its significance. Michigan State has become a playoff contender at the expense of Ohio State, a situation made possible, in part, through their fluky win over the Wolverines.

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