Oregon offense vs. Michigan State defense
The Oregon Ducks’ multi-pronged rushing attack shredded Eastern Washington for 485 yards and six touchdowns on 57 carries, an 8.5 yards-per-carry average. The committee’s production, however, is almost sure to regress on the road against defensive powerhouse Michigan State. The Spartans return stud defensive end Shilique Calhoun to a defensive line that held the Ducks to 173 yards on 40 carries, a 4.3 yards-per-carry average, last year.
Royce Freeman was the lone Oregon rusher Michigan State struggled to contain in last season’s mid-September matchup, with 89 yards on 13 carries. Freeman sealed Oregon’s 46-27 win with a pair of rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Ducks are likely to rely on Freeman more heavily this Saturday after he rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener. The Spartans’ defensive line, on the other hand, gave up 18 rushing yards to Western Michigan and helped generate seven sacks on Sept. 4.
Many attribute Oregon’s comeback victory over Michigan State in 2014 to the sheer willpower of Marcus Mariota, whose shovel pass to Freeman on third down extended the drive that led to 28 unanswered points to close the game. Mariota completed 17 of 28 passes for 318 yards and three scores against what many deemed to be the Spartans’ “No Fly Zone,” which featured NFL first-round selection Trae Waynes at cornerback. Michigan State’s secondary is less daunting in 2015, with redshirt freshman Vayante Copeland on the right and sophomore Montae Nicholson at safety. Western Michigan quarterback Zach Terrell torched the Spartans for 365 yards, completing 33 of 50 passes in the season opener, an underwhelming 37-24 victory for Michigan State.
Vernon Adams Jr. showed room for improvement against Eastern Washington, but managed to run the offense with relatively few hiccups despite spending just three weeks in practice. He spread the ball to eight different receivers for 246 yards and two touchdowns on 19 of 25 passing, and added 94 rushing yards on 14 carries. Adams may have more weapons at his disposal against Michigan State. Wide receiver Devon Allen sat out the season opener to nurse his recovering ACL tear while Charles Nelson didn’t see the field despite his No. 1 listing on the depth chart. Bralon Addison, who tore his ACL last spring, lined up on a large number of snaps in Nelson’s absence, hauling in three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Michigan State offense vs. Oregon defense
The Oregon defense allowed 42 points in its win over Eastern Washington. In order to defeat Michigan State, who boasts one of the top offensive units of the past several years,  it will have to step up its game.
The Eagles picked apart the porous Oregon secondary for 438 yards and five touchdowns through the air last Saturday. Standout wide receiver Cooper Kupp ran circles around cornerbacks Chris Seisay and freshman Ugo Amadi. Kupp snagged 15 catches for 246 yards, both Autzen Stadium records, and three touchdowns.
Although the Michigan State offense is primarily known for its punishing ground attack, it features a group of veteran receivers who are advantaged in experience and size, as well as a quarterback who improves the play of those around him. Connor Cook, a fifth-year senior on a national championship contender, is an early Heisman candidate by default. He produced his best season to date, throwing for 3,214 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions last year.
The Ducks held the Spartans to 123 yards on 36 carries, a 3.4 yards-per-carry average, in last season’s contest. Running backs Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill have since graduated, paving the way for three unproven underclassmen looking to hit the ground running. Redshirt freshman Madre London and true freshman LJ Scott each toted the ball 13 times with fair success against Western Michigan. Sophomore Gerald Holmes, the most physical back of the trio, added nine carries, bringing his career total to 24. Expect the Spartans to try to wear down the Ducks’ front seven with the same committee approach.
The Oregon defensive front held Eastern Washington to 111 yards on 31 carries, a 3.6 yards-per-carry average; a strong showing, even though the Eagles are a pass-first team that played mostly from behind. DeForest Buckner and the defensive line will truly be tested against Michigan State’s offensive line, which returns four starters from a year ago — including two seniors and 6-foot-6 junior tackle Jack Conklin. The Ducks will need to blitz more often and put more pressure on the quarterback than they did against Eastern Washington, when they recorded just one sack. The defense should expect to spend more time on the field, as Michigan State will keep the clock moving with more run plays and, presumably, hold Oregon to fewer scoring drives.
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