Oregon Ducks vs Michigan State: Cook vs Adams Leads Matchups To Watch

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How teams match up always seem good on paper till the game starts. In the world of college football one bad game can mean the end of national title hopes. The #7 Oregon Ducks and #5 Michigan State Spartans play today in what many consider the game of the week. The roles are flipped this time as the Spartans play host and hope to get payback for their 46-27 loss last season. The most important position in football is the quarterback. Which in turn, is the most important match up for the Oregon Ducks today.

Quarterbacks: Vernon Adams vs Connor Cook

Vernon Adams faces his first real test in figuring out the Michigan State defense, who always seems to be one of the best in the nation. Adams had a great debut game going 19-25 for 246 yards, two touchdowns, along with 14 carries for 94 yards for an 6.7 average. While Connor Cook looked shaky at times, he was 15 out 31 attempts for 256 yards and two touchdowns. Cook seems to be the pick here, as he as more experience against the nation top teams. While Adams can get it done with his feet, he seems to be adjusting to Oregon’s offense quite quickly but facing a top ranked team may trip him up.

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Oregon Running Backs vs Michigan State Defense

Although Vernon Adams leads the Oregon offense, it is the Oregon Ducks rushing attack that sets up the up-tempo offense and read options. Royce Freeman leads the Ducks this year as running mate Thomas Tyner is out for the season after having surgery on his shoulder this August. Freeman led the Ducks with 21 carries for 180 yards, three touchdowns last week, but the Spartans are a big step up from last week. Granted Oregon will miss Tyner, but the Ducks always seem to have depth on the offense side, and the running back position is probably their deepest. The Spartans will look to shut down Freeman, but look for other Ducks to step up to the plate to get Oregon going.

Oregon Wide Receivers vs Michigan State Secondary

The Ducks are missing one of their star receivers in Devon Allen, but Bralon Addison’s return from missing all of 2014 will soften the blow. Allen had great game last year with three catches for 11o yards, two touchdowns and a 36.7 average per catch. The Ducks have a lot of talent at wide receiver, a big game from Addison or Marshall could tilt the game in favor for the Ducks. Michigan State secondary was shredded for 365 yards through the air by Western Michigan. So Ducks will key on this as Michigan State only allowed 18 yards rushing last week.

Oregon Secondary vs Michigan State Receivers

If you thought 365 yards was bad, try 438 yards that’s the amount of yards Oregon’s secondary gave up to Eastern Washington. That has many Oregon fans worried if Eastern Washington can do that then any team can do that, but Eagles are no pushover team. Connor Cook, no doubt, will take advantage of the Ducks young secondary, and use this weakness to keep close with the Ducks all game.

Don’t leave your seat or couch once game time starts, this is going to be a nail bitter for all four quarters. Vernon Adams is going get the chance to prove he belongs here. This game will be close, look for the Ducks to take it though 38-28 to keep their national title hopes alive and climb into the top five. Game time starts at 5pm PT on ABC.

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