EAST LANSING, Mich. — Breaking down No. 6 Michigan State's 31-28 win against No. 5 Oregon on Saturday night at Spartan Stadium:
THE BIG PICTURE: In the biggest non-conference matchup of the season — at least as measured by the current rankings — the Spartans’ trademark defense was the difference. Their performance included a goal-line stand in the first quarter, a stop of Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams on fourth-and-1 midway through the fourth quarter and a huge sack with just more than a minute left with Oregon nearing range for a tying field-goal try — or more.