EAST LANSING- After a tough loss against the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 38-7, the Michigan State Spartans go into a short week against the number six-ranked Oregon Ducks.
When playing a tough team like the Buckeyes, Junior running back Nate Carter described that you have to learn from this, and find ways to get better.
With MSU gearing up to take on another tough Big Ten and ranked opponent, let’s get into the things the Spartans will need to do to succeed.
Self-Inflicted Wounds:
During the season for the Spartans, penalties and self-inflicted wounds hurt them and prevented them from succeeding. MSU is 132nd out of 133 schools for penalties committed in the country. The Spartans have an average of 107 penalty yards given per game.
Against Ohio State, Maryland, Florida Atlantic, and Prairie View, penalties have given the opposing teams many opportunities to score. Against a top-10-ranked school like the Ducks, turnovers will harm the Spartan’s success on Friday Night.
Offensive Consistency:
MSU has had its ups and downs on the offensive side of the ball, and its offensive struggles have given up points on the board. Against Ohio State, Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles had trouble taking care of the football.
Chiles experienced OSU’s defense and fumbled the ball when taking a hard hit from defensive end Jack Sawyer. The Spartans hurt themselves in the passing game as well, dropping passes and fumbling after 20-plus-yard opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the game, and many games so far this season.
Chiles and the MSU regime will face another tough defense this week, meaning ball security on the quarterback and receiving side will be important for success.
Defensive Pressure:
The Spartan’s defensive pressure has been an upside to the Spartans in their three wins on the season. Big contributors to that success have been redshirt senior linebacker Cal Haladay, Sixth-year defensive lineman Khris Bogle, and redshirt senior linebacker Jordan Turner.
The veteran Spartan pass rush has given the team the chance to succeed on the offensive end. Against Ohio State, Turner intercepted a pass from senior quarterback Will Howard making a momentum-changing play for the Spartans.
The defensive line has been a shining part of the Spartan’s success so far this season. If MSU wants to put a cap on Oregon’s high-flying offense, Haladay and company will be crucial to come out of Eugene with a win.
Cornerback shifting:
In recent years for the Green and White, the secondary positions have been a struggle. But this year, Senior defensive back Dillion Tatum stepped up as a true defensive back number one.
However, due to injuries early on in the season, the Spartans had to adapt and change to succeed. Alongside Tatum, sophomore defensive back Chance Rucker, and redshirt junior Khalil Majeed became injured early on this season and have not returned.
This made MSU change some things around and challenge their depth in the cornerback position. In the beginning of the contest so far, the defensive back room has stepped up and made big plays for head coach Jonathan Smith. But, defensive back Charles Brantley has taken over the Defensive back role and has made big plays for MSU defending the toughest receivers the Big Ten has to offer.
Against Prairie View, Brantley set a record in East Lansing, picking off the Panthers and taking it 100 yards for the pick-six. MSU has made game-changing plays this season on defense, and those plays will be essential to stopping a Big Ten powerhouse as the Oregon Ducks.
Oregon Ducks Talent evaluation:
There’s no telling that the Oregon team is one of the best we’ve seen so far this year, as their ranking speaks for itself. With being number six, the Ducks have show-stopping talent on both sides of the ball. For MSU to compete against this squad, they will have to watch out for these players.
Starting on the offensive side, you have to talk about who is leading the charge. Senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been leading the Ducks for years, and is firing on all cylinders so far this season.
Gabriel has averaged a 151.8 passer rating in conference play, and a 75% completion percentage in the Big Ten. Gabriel, at home, is averaging nearly 9 yards per attempt with four touchdowns so far. When the Ducks are at home, Gabriel’s stats are significantly better with an 84 percent completion percentage instead of 75.
With a career of 134 passing touchdowns, Gabriel is continuing to play at a higher level than ever, which will be MSU’s highest priority.
With Gabriel playing his best ball coming into this matchup, other players have been showing out on that side of the ball as well. Senior receiver Tez Johnson is averaging 11 yards per reception this season with two touchdowns already in conference play.
Johnson is a fast receiver who can lose defenders with a move quickly, his elusiveness can create a problem for MSU and their defensive back room. Already, he has gained 121 yards this season, coming off a 1,182-yard year in 2023.
Switching over to the defensive side, a familiar face to MSU is leading the QB pressure over in Eugene. Former MSU defensive lineman Derrick Harmon will cause problems for the MSU offensive line.
Harmon in his first week as a Duck, had 5 tackles, one solo tackle, a forced fumble, and one and a half sacks. Harmon is currently the highest-graded defensive tackle in the Big Ten according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Harmon so far this season has gained 18 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble already, spearheading the Big Ten at the position. Time will be important for Chiles to not throw any turnovers, and Oregon’s defense will try to force as many as possible.
Michigan State looks to turn it around against another ranked Big Ten opponent in Eugene. You can listen to the matchup live on Impact 89 FM with Joe Dez and Oscar Henderson on the call. The pregame will start at 8:30 p.m., with a 9:00 p.m. start time.
