Only a few days remain until the No. 7 Oregon Ducks face the No. 5 Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing, Mich.
The Ducks beat the Spartans 46-27 last year at Autzen Stadium, due in large part to Marcus Mariota’s feet.
Facing a 27-18 deficit on third-and-long in the third quarter of last year’s game, Mariota faced heavy pressure from the Spartans’ pass rush, but was able to flip the ball to Royce Freeman for the first down. Oregon scored 28 unanswered points afterwards and many looked to that play as the major turning point of the game.
This year, the Spartans are looking for redemption against the Ducks. Though they looked far from perfect last week in a 37-24 victory against Western Michigan, the Spartans will be warmed up for the Ducks on Saturday.
The Ducks, meanwhile, know it’s possible to bounce back from an early season loss, but winning one in a hostile environment would be a huge confidence boost this early in the season.
Here are three matchups to watch for this Saturday:
Vernon Adams vs. Michigan State’s front seven
Mariota can no longer haunt the Spartans with his scrambling ability, but Adams just might. Against Eastern Washington last weekend, Adams looked just as shifty as Mariota at times, carrying the ball 14 times for 94 yards. It remains to be seen how Adams will fare against an elite FBS defense, but Michigan State’s front seven is also dealing with some losses.
Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi left in the offseason to become head coach at University of Pittsburgh. Linebacker Ed Davis, one of the unit’s best, went down in mid-August with a season-ending knee injury.
Still, the Spartans have some pieces. Linebacker Riley Bullough had nine tackles and three sacks last week. And defensive end Shilique Calhoun is likely a first-round pick in next year’s NFL draft.
Connor Cook vs. Oregon secondary
Last week, it didn’t seem to matter who was playing quarterback for the Eagles; the Ducks couldn’t stop either of them. Between Jordan West and Reilly Hennessey, the Ducks allowed 438 yards and five touchdowns through the air.
Michigan State is typically known more for its running game than its passing attack, but Spartans senior quarterback Connor Cook is a capable passer. Cook threw for 343 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions last year against the Ducks. Perhaps the most telling stat: Cook attempted 47 passes in that game, the most he threw in any game all season. If Oregon is scoring at a quick pace, this game could turn into another long one for Oregon’s secondary.
Oregon receivers vs. Michigan State secondary
Devon Allen (ACL injury) and Darren Carrington (suspension) did the most damage to the Spartans’ secondary in last year’s contest, with a combined five catches, 176 yards and two touchdowns. Though neither are expected to take the field this Saturday, it might not matter for the Ducks.
Between Dwayne Stanford, Byron Marshall and Bralon Addison, Oregon’s receiving corps is deeper than ever, and Adams found timing with all three last week. Also, Charles Nelson will be making his season debut against Michigan State after sitting out last week with an injury.
Michigan State lost cornerback Trae Waynes to the NFL after last season, but cornerback Demetrious Cox and safety RJ Williamson have plenty of big-game experience between them.
Follow Will Denner on Twitter @Will_Denner
Matchups to watch in pivotal game at Michigan State
Will Denner
September 8, 2015
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