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Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch breaks down Michigan State’s football game at Oregon, 9:05 p.m. (ET) Friday. TV: Fox. Betting line: Oregon -23.5
1. Can MSU’s ever-improving offense give Oregon fits?
MSU should enter this game knowing it can move the ball against Oregon. A Spartan offense that looked out of sorts and punchless in the opener against Florida Atlantic has since shown itself to be capable of both moving the sticks and striking with big plays. Doing so against Maryland and Boston College is one thing. Doing it against Ohio State is pretty good evidence you can do it against anyone. MSU’s first four possessions against the Buckeyes — seven plays for 55 yards, five for 64, one play for 12 yards that was a touchdown and nine for 59 — were all fluid and creative drives that made MSU look like a threat to the Buckeyes. It fizzled from there. But there’s no reason to go backward against Oregon, which does have experience, size, depth and talent on defense, but no more than the Ohio State.
Michigan State’s Nick Marsh catches a pass before the start of the football game against Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, outside Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
2. Nick Marsh’s health
One certainty after five games is that MSU freshman receiver Nick Marsh makes a difference. When he barely played against Florida Atlantic, the offense went nowhere. When he broke out at Maryland, MSU won largely on the back of his connection with quarterback Aidan Chiles. When he was out against Boston College, Chiles and Co. were still capable and had their moments, but his absence diminished MSU’s attack. And last week, having barely practiced for two weeks, he was used sparingly against the Buckeyes, but caught perhaps the best throw of the season from Chiles — a 25-yard deep out, one of his two catches on…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-oregon-5-130328989.html
Author : Lansing State Journal
Publish date : 2024-10-03 13:03:28
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