So I rewatched the last drive.
On first down, they snapped it early, but the game clock was stopped anyway with the change of possession, so it didn't matter.
On second down, they again snapped it early, but MSU had used its last timeout after first down, so it didn't matter.
On third down, the game clock was rolling, and they snapped the ball with 11 seconds left on the play clock (as you pointed out). Those 11 seconds absolutely were wasted and Michigan could have burned them off the clock.
On fourth down, the difference between the game clock and the play clock was only 9 seconds. So, if HARBAUGH!!!!! had told Rudock to use all of the play clock on third down, they never would have needed to even snap the ball on fourth--the game would have been over.
In other words, bad clock management cost Michigan the game. In all of the write-ups and posts on Michigan blogs I've read regarding this game (and, trust me, I've read plenty), I've never seen one of those clowns acknowledge Harbaugh's gaffe.
I'm thinking a fanbase that celebrates things that happened over 100 years ago like it was yesterday will keep its collective heads in the sand for a remarkable length of time on this one.
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