Watch Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State Spartans football streaming online live starting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time by following the link at the end of this preview article.
The Oregon Ducks and Michigan State Spartans have both been perennial also-rans in recent years, at least in terms of consideration for the national championship. Fans, coaches, and players alike think their teams deserve more. In fact, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio has frankly stated that his MSU Spartans — who finished ranked number 3 after fighting all year for respect — would have beaten the other teams in the top four if they’d had the chance to in a playoff.
We’ll never know if that’s true, but chances are the team that emerges victorious from today’s game will have the chance to prove that they can go head-to-head with the best the SEC and the rest of the country have to offer — provided, of course, that they run the tabl, or at least don’t lose more than one game — in their tough conference schedules.
Both teams beat up on forgettable opponents last week. While it’s nothing new for powerhouse college programs to pad their schedules with a gimme or two the first few weeks, it is bold of both teams to schedule one another this early in the season. Speaking frankly, the loser of today’s game is out of the discussion for the national championship this year. They can still rank well, of course, and they may even compete for a spot in the Rose Bowl after losing today, but with the AP’s tendency to tip the scales drastically in the SEC’s favor in recent years, it’s unlikely that there will be room for both of these teams in a four team playoff format. It’s a pity, really, as this writer can think of nothing better than these upstart divisional powerhouses squaring off twice this year, with the rematch in the inaugural NCAA football playoffs.
Of course, the coaches aren’t saying those sorts of things… at least not publicly. Michigan State Spartans coach Mark Dantonio was quoted in a recent Yahoo Sports report .
“This is an opportunity early in the season to see where we’re at as a program. Win or lose, we still have a lot of football games ahead of us, and we have to understand that that’s every bit as important as this one single game.”
The MSU Spartans vs. Oregon Ducks game promises to be a classic defense vs. offense clash as Michigan State brings in arguably the toughest D in the country against one of the greatest offenses in college football history.
Oregon QB Marcus Mariotta had this to say about the game.
“We are very excited. It poses a good challenge for us. It poses a good challenge for the entire team. They’re coming in as one of the best defenses in the country and any offense would love to face that challenge. It helps you see where you stack up.”
Prediction for the MSU Spartans vs. Oregon Ducks game: This writer has to go against the oddsmakers on this one, who are almost universally favoring the Oregon Ducks. Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Spartans win this one by a touchdown or less.
Fans can watch Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State Spartans streaming online live here starting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.