Michigan State football fans have clear favorite for best win over U-M

EAST LANSING — What's the most memorable football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines in the last four decades?

On the eve of the Nov. 7 night game in Ann Arbor, State Journal readers overwhelmingly agree that it was the Oct. 17, 2015 "Trouble with the snap!" game.

After U-M's Blake O'Neill fumbled the snap with 10 seconds left and UM leading 23-21, MSU's Jalen Watts-Jackson gathered the ball out of the air and returned it for a touchdown as the clock ran out. The stunned looks on the faces of U-M fans watching in the stands were captured on TV. Final score MSU 27, Michigan 23.

More than two-thirds, 69% of the votes in the online poll cast, were for the Oc. 17, 2015 game.

About 12% of the votes were for the Oct. 30, 2021 game. Kenneth Walker III, now a star in the NFL, had a career game with five touchdowns, including a game-winning score from 23 yards out with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. Final score: MSU 37, Michigan 33.

Nearly 7% voted for the Nov. 3, 2001 matchup. Sixth-ranked U-M was leading, 24-20, and the clock was ticking down as MSU was on its final drive just a few yards from the end zone. With no timeouts remaining, MSU spiked the ball to stop the clock, which seemed to stick on one second rather than running out. Using that remaining second for a final play, MSU quarterback Jeff Smoker scrambled and threw an off-balance pass that was caught by T.J. Duckett for the winning score. Final score: Michigan State 26, No. 6 Michigan 24.

Just over 5% of the votes cast were for the Oct. 13, 1990 game. U-M was ranked No. 1 in the country despite being 3-1 when it played MSU. The Wolverines drove to the north end of Michigan Stadium and scored with 6 seconds remaining but still trailed, 28-27. Then U-M went for a two-point conversion in lieu of a game-tying extra-point kick. U-M receiver Desmond Howard beat MSU cornerback Eddie Brown and was wide open as the pass came, but Brown tripped him. The ball bounced off Howard's hands, no penalty was called, and the unranked Spartans had a huge upset. Final score: MSU 28, Michigan 27.

About 3.5% of the votes were for the Oct. 9, 1999 game. Both MSU and U-M were top 10 teams, and unbeaten, when they played. MSU quarterback Bill Burke and receiver Plaxico Burress led the Spartans out to a big lead and it looked they were on their way to a blowout win. Then U-M senior Tom Brady, who didn't start the game, came in to lead two late touchdown drives. The Spartans, coached by Nick Saban, held on to win by three. Final score: MSU 34, Michigan 31.

About 3% of the votes were for the Oct. 25, 2008 game. MSU's win came more than six years after the Spartans had last held the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Spartans hadn't won in Ann Arbor since 1990. With Mark Dantanio at the helm, MSU won on a play-action touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer to fullback Josh Rouse. Hoyer and Blair White starred, but Javon Ringer put the Spartans on his back with 194 yards on 37 carries — a couple days after tearing a knee ligament. Final score: Michigan State 35, Michigan 21.