Michigan State lost at Nebraska 39-38.
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This game has the makings of a blowout in Michigan State’s favor.
At the Michigan State-Nebraska game, replay officials reviewed Reilly’s score and the touchdown stood. An 18-yard strike from Cook to Kings on third down gave Michigan State a 17-13 lead with 17 seconds left in the half.
Now, taking care of business is a much bigger “if” than it was 24 hours ago and not something that really should be taken for granted. This loss ended their ideal season and could ultimately keep them out of the playoff, and it’s very possible, if not probable, they would’ve won if not for the blown call.
From there the Huskers were able to get the first points of the game later in the first quarter when Imani Cross and Alonzo Moore were both able to convert third downs before Drew Brown would put a 44 yard field goal right through the pipes to get the Huskers an early three point lead. The Rose then gets to make it’s selection from the rest of the Big Ten.
The Big Ten has seen its share of ridiculous plays this season, and one controversial call played a large part in Nebraska’s dramatic upset of Michigan State. But the Tar Heels schedule isn’t strong enough to assure them a one-loss bid if they run the the table with a win over the Tigers. The Wolverines now need to win out and have Ohio State take down the Spartans to compete for a title in their first year under Jim Harbaugh. There can still be a three-way tie, sure, but it would involve more unexpected losses to lesser teams. Instead, the Huskers got a reprieve and Armstrong made the best of it with a game winning 30-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Reilly. The defending national champions have been first since the preseason, when they became the first team to be a unanimous preseason No. 1 in the 79-year history of the AP rankings. It means there are resumes to compare.
One loss does not eliminate a team from playoff contention.
Nebraska regained possession at its own nine with 55 seconds remaining and Armstrong went back to work, hitting Jordan Westerkamp for gains of 28 and 33 yards all the way down to the Michigan State 30.
The most important thing is a conference championship, and the good news for the Spartans is that that is still on the table.
“It’s no more hard than losing on a blown coverage or tackle or anything else”, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said.
That hasn’t necessarily been the case this season. The Spartans ranked ninth in the Big Ten in total defense coming into Saturday, allowing an average of 356.5 yards per game.
“Well I think to win those games…if you learn to practice week to week, then you have a chance to focus on that week… that’s why I think that you live in vacuum”.
Gerry Dinardo of the Big Ten Network said on Sunday night that because there was contact, any contact, the play is therefore not reviewable to say whether or not it should have been a penalty.
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Meanwhile, the AMWAY Coaches’ Poll indicated a similar script for Michigan State. It’s not one of those obvious ones that people will say he was pushed.
