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The Oregon Ducks take to the field at Spartan Stadium on Saturday evening as underdogs for the first time since 2011. Earlier in the week, the point spread was a Pick ‘Em, but inched towards a slim margin in favor of Michigan State as the week went on. Vernon Adams will look to his second start at Quarterback for the Oregon Ducks and we can hope he will find similar success to his first Game Week against Eastern Washington, but the Spartans are a different animal all together and a top five team.
Connor Cook has the leadership and the experience on Offense to keep Michigan State in the game. He will certainly test a shaky Oregon Defense, especially on the perimeter where the Ducks D gave up over two-hundred yards to Eastern Washington Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp last weekend. The front seven had success against the run game giving up just over one-hundred yards on the ground for the game, most of which came in the fourth quarter. The game on Saturday will be won or lost in the trenches.
MUST Read: Breaking Down Film of Oregon and Michigan State(2014) -Inside The Pylon
Oregon welcomed back Tyler Johnstone to the starting lineup and he rewarded Running Back Royce Freeman with some holes to run through which accounted for one-hundred eighty yards and three touchdowns for the Sophomore Running Back. Last season the Offensive Line had some issues with injury early in the season, but big plays by the Defense, including an interception of Cook by Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu sealed the game for the Ducks. Momentum will again play a key role on Saturday night.
The team that gets the better push up front will have an advantage. Last season, it was the Oregon Ducks on their home turf with the win. This season, the road warrior mentality calls early in the season. The Ducks have traveled well in the past over the last few years picking up wins in Michigan(2007), and at Virginia(2013). Oregon Head Coach Mark Helfrich said the team will remain in West Coast time while in Michigan. So technically the Ducks will have tw0 5pm kickoffs in a row.
MUST Read: Oregon vs Michigan State: Key Matchups To Watch on Saturday -AutzenZoo
Oregon and Michigan State have a lot to play for, but a loss will likely not eliminate either team from a shot at the College Football Playoff. There is plenty of season left to play for the losing team. Oregon went on a nine game winning streak following a loss to Arizona last season and made it all the way to the National Championship. The Ducks have big games again in the Pac-12 this season with USC visiting Eugene, and also includes trips to Arizona State and Stanford. Of course, a road victory would likely put Oregon into the top five in the polls and a prime position moving into the rest of the season.
Oregon and Michigan State kickoff at 5pm Pacific Time on ABC. Autzen Zoo Coverage will begin on our Twitter stream(at the top of the page, and @KPNWSports) at 4pm Pacific time
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Autzen Zoo Previews The Matchup:
- Oregon vs Michigan State: Players To Watch
- Michigan State Has Work To Do On Defense
- Oregon vs Michigan State: Showtime For Vernon Adams
- Bleacher Report Preview: Oregon vs Eastern Washington
- Pac-12 Week Two Preview: Ducks vs Spartans Top Billing
What Other’s Are Saying:
- The Game Vernon Adams Has Waited For His Whole Life -Bleacher Report
- Michigan State Puts It’s Playoff Cred To The Test vs Oregon -Grantland
- Stopping Connor Cook Will Be A Challenge – Register Guard
In The Know:
Weather: Kickoff, 55, Partly Cloudy – Final, 50, Clear, Light Winds Under 10 Miles Per Hour
Start time set for 5:00pm Pacific Time, TV: ABC(National) Radio: 590 KUGN, 96.1 KZEL(Eugene area)