The Michigan State Spartans are on the rise, but Oregon stands in their way Saturday night in the first heavyweight bout of 2015. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)On a rowdy last Friday night in Kalamazoo, Michigan State allowed 365 passing yards to Western Michigan. That alone might be cause to note the identity of the Spartans’ next opponent and text, “Please don’t come; we’ll help you out with refunds.” The next opponent is kaleidoscopic Oregon, renowned hoarder of passing (and other) yardage, ranked No. 7 nationally after a 61-point, 731-yard first week. Yet as Michigan State does intend to go ahead with playing the game and making East Lansing the center of college football on Saturday night, there are yet significant reasons for Spartan optimism. [John Feinstein: Great stakes this weekend in the Great Lakes State] Michigan State itself ranks No. 5; its record over the past two seasons stands at 24-3; it held a 27-18 lead in the third quarter last season at Oregon; while Oregon and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota won that game 46-27, Mariota works now in the NFL; and, pivotally, the Spartans have scored 30-plus points in nine consecutive games their own selves. Eastern Washington, Oregon’s first opponent, scored 42. [Oregon’s defense could shatter this season] “We have a great opportunity in front of us,” Michigan Coach Mark Dantonio said Monday at a news conference in East Lansing. “Yes,” Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. told Oregon reporters, the question being whether this is the biggest game he will have played. As possibly the best nonconference matchup of the season, it has major potential College Football Playoff ramifications. It has the Big Ten, in its new role at center stage given Ohio State’s 2014 national championship, against the Pacific-12, a justly ambitious lot that slogged through a shaky 7-5 first weekend. …
Continue Reading: Oregon’s speed-based battle with Michigan State will accelerate College Football Playoff race
