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Michigan State 16, Iowa 13: Michigan State Takes Big Ten Championship From Iowa by an Arm’s Length

INDIANAPOLIS — The biggest play of Michigan State’s season was essentially a lucky hop, late on an October afternoon, when Michigan’s punter, with his team ahead and 10 seconds left in the game, botched a low snap that bounded into the arms of Michigan State’s streaking Jalen Watts-Jackson, who ran it in for the winning touchdown as time expired.

But at what point is so much good fortune no longer a matter of luck?

Wherever that point is, Michigan State passed it this season.

When it mattered most — in the Big Ten championship game, with a College Football Playoff spot on the line — the ball continued to bounce Michigan State’s way.