Michigan State-Iowa Contest Was a Game of “What Ifs”

As Michigan State fans solemnly poured out of Spartan Stadium following a 15-13 defeat to the hands of Iowa, hypothetical questions popped into everybody’s heads.

What if the Spartans never got penalized for a personal foul on the final drive? What if the Hawkeyes couldn’t have run four plays in a whopping 15 seconds? What if the safety covered the slant better on the final play?

Every Spartans fan wanted to denote a certain reason for the heart-wrenching loss Saturday night, but the truth is that any outcome could have occurred that cold night and people would still be wondering how.

Much of the game was, in fact, a defensive battle.

Both teams were trading field goals as if they were going to win some sort of halftime prize package. Both teams had first and goal from the one-yard line, and both teams’ offensive coordinators called the same exact plays (run, pass, run). Field goals resulted from the blown opportunities.

It wasn’t the most entertaining game to watch, unless you love watching aggressive defense and battles in the trenches. Aside from a few minor lapses for each team, both defenses played exceptionally well. Running the ball became second fiddle as both teams tried to seek out the big play which would open the game up.

And it turned out that big plays didn’t occur until the fourth quarter.

The Spartans, down 9-6, faced a third and long around midfield. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a line drive, and the receiver lateraled the ball to another receiver to get a huge play (it was almost like the hook-and-ladder play from the Boise State-Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl game). Cousins threw a touchdown pass to Blair White seconds later.

Then the mayhem started. The Hawkeyes’ last drive was full of fumbles, interceptions, questionable penalties, potential clock issues and a last-second catch. There was even a huge hit which almost concussed a receiver.

When Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt with no time remaining, tens of thousands of people in the stands grew silent; you could have heard a pin drop. But there was Iowa, celebrating a win to keep their undefeated season alive and hope for a chance to play in a major BCS bowl.

Two days later, all Michigan State coaches, players and fans continue to ask, “What if we won?”

I guess we will never know.