The new college football season is only a couple weeks’ old, but the national championship aspirations of both Michigan State and Oregon could conceivably be made or broken when they meet in Week 2.
The Ducks are gunning for one last title run with Heisman favorite Marcus Mariota at the helm, but the Spartans have their own Heisman hopeful in Connor Cook, who is looking to build from his Big Ten Championship Game and Rose Bowl victories from last season.
Two of Oregon’s main Big 12 rivals also collide in a stacked Week 2. Check out our preview of Stanford vs. USC, as well as the ACC clash between Pitt vs. Boston College, and read on for more on this all-important, national championship-caliber showdown.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Oregon Ducks Prediction and Betting Preview
Quarterback Connor Cook raised expectations for himself with how he ended last season, and if his first game against Jacksonville State is any indication, he looks ready to meet those heightened hopes for him in his junior season. Cook showed no ill-effects of an early injury scare to register a near-perfect night, going 12-for-13 for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
Cook connected with senior receiver Tony Lippett four times for 167 yards and two touchdowns, which already matches his output for the entire 2013 season.
The senior running back pair of Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill weren’t as impressive though, as they combined for 99 yards on 24 carries, a measly 4.1 yards per carry. Langford (1,422 yards and 18 TDs last season) is certainly capable of much more. He, along with his offensive line, will be counted on to up their game, especially against an Oregon defense that has struggled containing the run.
Speaking of defense, Michigan State’s run defense allowed just 22 yards, their pass rush had six sacks and their secondary had three interceptions against the Gamecocks. Not bad for a unit that lost six starters from last year. Obviously, Oregon will be a much tougher test, but with studs like Shilique Calhoun and Kurtis Drummond, they certainly have the tools to silence the Ducks.
Michigan State has been one of the most dependable road teams in all of college football over the last couple of years. Since 2012, they are 8-2 on the road, but more importantly, are 8-1-1 against the spread.
Betting on the Oregon Ducks
It was business as usual for the outstanding Oregon offense in Week 1 against South Dakota. Leading Heisman candidate Marcus Mariota and the No. 3-ranked Ducks blitzed the Coyotes with 41 first half points en route to a comfortable 62-13 win. Mariota needed just that one half to record 310 total yards of offense with four touchdowns before sitting out the entire second half.
Two of Mariota’s three touchdown passes went to running back Byron Marshall, who was integral in the Ducks’ passing game. Marshall finished with a team-high eight catches for 138 yards as well as eight carries for 89 yards.
That prolific offense will be put to the test against Michigan State’s very tough defense. However, the Spartans may not be as impenetrable as last year given some notable losses. Linebacker is a particular question mark this season, which Mariota and co. can exploit with short passes to Marshall and to their trio of tight ends.
Oregon will also be wary of its own defense, particularly in stopping the run. In the Ducks’ two losses last season to Stanford and Arizona, they gave up a massive 678 total yards and six touchdowns on the ground. And after losing three important starters, it remains to be seen whether new defensive coordinator Don Pellum can fix this glaring weakness in the Ducks’ game in time for the Spartans’ visit.
The blueprint for beating Oregon isn’t exactly a mystery, but implementing it successfully in Oregon is another thing entirely. An overtime defeat to Stanford has been the only blemish in the Ducks’ record at Autzen Stadium since the beginning of 2012. Oregon is 13-1 at home during that stretch.
Writer’s Prediction
Michigan State possesses both the outstanding defense and the very good running game that are key ingredients in beating Oregon, but the Ducks don’t fall at home very often. Expect the Spartans to give Oregon all it can handle, enough to cover the spread but just short of winning the game. Create a betting account and follow the exploits of the top-ranked teams on their road to the College Football Playoff.
