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The Spartans are set to challenge Oregon in Eugene, looking to rebound after a tough loss to Ohio State.
Michigan State Prepares for Second Straight Top-10 Opponent in Oregon
EUGENE, OR — The Michigan State Spartans (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) travel to face the No. 6 Oregon Ducks (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) on Friday night, marking their second consecutive game against a top-10 opponent. The game, which will be nationally televised on FOX, kicks off at 9:05 p.m. ET from Autzen Stadium, with Jason Benetti and Brock Huard on the call.
After a crushing 38-7 defeat at the hands of No. 3 Ohio State last week, the Spartans are in need of a strong bounce-back performance. First-year head coach Jonathan Smith will look to capitalize on his experience facing Oregon during his tenure at Oregon State, where he posted two significant victories over top-ranked Ducks teams.
Oregon Looks to Extend Series Lead Over Michigan State
The Ducks hold a slight edge in the all-time series between the two programs, leading 4-3, and they are undefeated against Michigan State in Eugene. Their last encounter was a low-scoring affair, with Oregon prevailing 7-6 in the 2018 Redbox Bowl. The Spartans will aim to break their losing streak at Autzen Stadium, where they last played in 2014, losing 46-27.
Oregon, under head coach Dan Lanning, enters the matchup unbeaten and riding high after a dominant 34-14 win over UCLA. Led by senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who boasts an impressive 81.5% completion rate this season, the Ducks will look to exploit Michigan State’s defense, which struggled to contain Ohio State last week.
Spartan Offense Aims for Stability Under QB Aidan Chiles
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State’s sophomore quarterback, has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency, throwing eight interceptions this season. Chiles, who passed for a career-high 363 yards earlier this year against Maryland, will need to limit turnovers and sustain drives to give the Spartans a chance against Oregon’s high-powered offense.
The Spartan rushing attack is led by Kay’ron Lynch-Adams and Nathan Carter, both of whom have surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards. They will be critical in controlling the clock and keeping Oregon’s offense off the field.
Spartan Defense Looks to Contain Oregon’s Explosive Offense
The Spartan defense, ranked third in the Big Ten in sacks, will need to pressure Gabriel and slow down Oregon’s junior running back Jordan James, who averages 96.5 rushing yards per game. Jordan Turner, MSU’s standout linebacker, leads the team with 31 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Turner will be instrumental in neutralizing Oregon’s dynamic offensive attack.
Despite their strong defensive rankings, Michigan State will need to elevate their game to prevent Oregon from extending their unbeaten streak.
Can Michigan State Upset Oregon in Eugene?
Michigan State faces an uphill battle against one of the best teams in the country. While the Spartans’ last win over Oregon came in 2015, their recent form suggests they’ll need a near-perfect performance to pull off an upset. Oregon’s offense, ranked 20th in passing yards per game, will be a formidable challenge for Michigan State’s defense, while the Spartans will need to play mistake-free football to have a chance.
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