Is This The Secret Of Michigan Football’s Biggest Failure?

It was the play heard around the world. First-year coach Jim Harbaugh was 10 seconds away from ending Michigan State's 6-game win streak to start the 2015 season. It would have been a statement win for a program coming off a disappointing 5-7 season that saw the Wolverines miss their first bowl game since 2009.

However, everyone knows that the final play of the game, a routine punt by Blake O'Neill, did not end with the Wolverines ahead when the clock ran out. Instead, O'Neill "had trouble with the snap"; Michigan State's Jalen Watts-Jackson recovered the ball in mid-air and ran 38 yards to score as time expired (ironically, in the ensuing celebration, Watts-Jackson broke his hip and required surgery post-game).

Ten years after the infamous game, the play remains one of the most iconic moments in College Football. It has been dissected frame by frame by fans who still can't believe it happened and others who wonder what could have been.

This has led one person to announce their theory on the play, and it is very interesting.

College Football's Latest Conspiracy

Over on the r/CFB subreddit, a user posed the question, "Are there any good College Football Conspiracies?" and among the top comments was a theory by a Michigan State Spartans fan, user MattMason1703:

The "Trouble with the snap" botched kick was actually a botched fake. Harbaugh was going to signal losing to MSU was over by ending with a spectacular trick play (Dantonio's specialty). UM had two gunners lined up even though MSU had no one back. It backfired hilariously.

Many of the replies seem to echo that it was the first time they'd heard this theory, but they overwhelmingly support it. So, let's break down what Matt Mason is referring to and assess the likelihood of this being real.

Breaking Down The Theory

For those who aren't aware of the special teams positions, the players closest to the sidelines are called "Gunners," with the idea that these players shoot down the field to get first crack at the player receiving the punt, thereby minimizing the return yards from the punt.

READ MORE: Spartans’ Last-Second Stunner Named One of NCAA’s Greatest Games

Gunners are a regular part of the special teams formation; however, the reason Matt Mason draws attention to Harbaugh's use of Gunners in this scenario is that Michigan State had chosen to put an extra man on the line of scrimmage rather than have a return man in the backfield. Having Gunners when there is no one receiving the ball seems redundant when Michigan State had no intention of returning the ball, instead opting to attempt to stop the punt rather than return it.

Matt points out that if Harbaugh's original plan was to do a trick that would end with an exclamation mark...the opportunity was there. That outside Gunner was left wide open, making for the easiest throw of any player's career.

What Are The Odds Of This Being Real?

In reality, it is pretty doubtful that Harbaugh was secretly planning a trick play here. In his time in Michigan, Harbaugh rarely tried any fake punts. He famously succeeded on a fake punt against Washington in 2021 that allowed the Wolverines to score on the next play. Otherwise, the only other attempts I could find were:

• A failed fake against Michigan State in 2021
• A successful fake against Army in 2019
• A successful fake against Maryland in 2019
• A failed fake against Illinois in 2016

However, the bigger reason this doesn't feel like a legitimate play call from Coach Khakis is based on the kicker's reaction after he fumbled the snap. Instead of just dropping on the ball or attempting a short pass, O'Neill tried to kick it despite facing a wall of Spartans in his face. Plus, the wide-open Gunner on the outside doesn't appear to be indicating he was open for a catch.

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This leads me to believe the original playcall was a basic punt, and things just went awry, much to the chagrin of Wolverines fans everywhere.