Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State Spartans Preview & Prediction

Get ready for your marquee matchup of Week 2 off the 2015 college football season. The #7 Oregon Ducks had an uneven showing in an Arena Football-esque win over QB Vernon Adams' old team, Eastern Washington, in their season opener. They'll have to sure things up, especially on the defensive end, if they're going to upend the #5 Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing. Here's are preview & prediction for Saturday's massive clash of titans.

Oregon Outlook

If you're a glass half-full type, you look at Oregon's 61-point output against Eastern Washington and see a team that has the firepower to win a shootout against anyone.

If you're a glass half-empty type, you point to a defense that gave up 43 points to an FCS squad and looked generally undermanned for long stretches.

We're right in the middle on this one, especially with QB Vernon Adams being an unproven commodity when it comes to big games at the FBS level. If he's a bright lights kinda guy like he appears to be, he might be able to offset some of Oregon's glaring defensive deficiencies. If not, Saturday will be a blow to the Ducks' CFP hopes.

Michigan State Outlook

Michigan State also had some defensive issues in its opener against Western Michigan, causing them to slowly and cautiously backpedal to a 37-24 victory. The Spartans' pass defense looked spotty all day long last Saturday, and there is no telling just how that's going to translate against a Ducks' passing attack that can go molten hot in a split second -- regardless of who is under center.

However, MSU has been focus on revenge all offseason long after Oregon racked up 500 yards and 46 points on them last year. Don't expect anything less than a 110%, head-to-the-grind stone effort with retribution on their minds.

What To Watch For

This is a game for the quarterbacks. Connor Cook was less than stellar to start off his Heisman hopeful campaign in Week 1. If he can't outplay a relative newcomer in Vernon Adams, both Michigan State's CFP hopes and his trophy quest could peter out in a wisp of smoke. Expect both teams to air it out with regularity on Saturday in what should be a slugfest revolving around two high-powered passing games.

Prediction: Michigan State wins 44-31

We wouldn't be surprised if this somehow eclipses 100 combined points, but we're going to be somewhat conservative on this prediction. Michigan State has revenge on the mind and a rabid, prime-time home crowd in their corner. That should be enough to pull away from the Ducks late in East Lansing.