A quick look at MSU’s games against BC, OSU, and Oregon
I feel there is no better way to crack the seal on my debut with all of you than to begin with a roaring, Go Green!
With that being said, let’s get right into a season preview of the Spartan gauntlet. This section of games is going to be telling as to the future outlook of the team. Two preseason top 3 teams in back-to-back weeks will let us know if Coach Smith has begun to develop a culture in the locker room to believe, fight, give 100 and build.
September 21 – Boston College (away)
September 28 – Ohio State (home)
October 4 – Oregon (away)
BOSTON COLLEGE
The Spartans head to Massachusetts to face the Eagles in their famous Red Bandana game in honor of Welles Crowther’s heroic acts on 9/11. BC saves this for their biggest home game of the season and this year, it’s the Spartans they have in their sights. After a 7-6 campaign and a bowl win last season, BC looks to continue program resurgence. This is the game every BC fan feels is the make-or-break for their season.
This will be a battle of year-one coaches with Smith matching wits with Bill O’Brien. Yep, that Bill O’Brien who left the lack of wide receivers New England Patriots to take over across town at BC. O’Brien has a lot to be excited about on offense and has some weapons that could definitely get MSU into some trouble. BC returns QB Thomas Castellanos who was the team’s leading rusher last year. MSU will be challenged in the trenches as BC returns a very talented O-line. Castellanos did throw a lot of picks last year and if MSU can hold the rushing attack and maintain the edges they may be able to force Castellanos into making some errors.
On the other side of the ball, MSU’s offense may get to be a difference maker in the game. Last year BC was atrocious at the pass rush and if they struggle again Chiles should have all day to find the open man. The Eagles are hoping for some transfer portal assistance in the secondary, but as every Spartan knows, portal transfers do not always turn into K-Dogg numbers. The Spartan line will have to pay attention to edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku who took a step back last year as a Junior and is definitely looking to finish his final year like he started.
OHIO STATE
Here comes one of the most dominant teams in college. OSU, the only team that would have made the 12 team CFP format for 20 of the last 22 years. That is dominant. This year will be no exception as 89% winning percentage coach Ryan Day enters a “hot seat” year. OSU is “beat Michigan and win it all” or it’s a failed season. They know it too as they went on a fun NIL spree and even convinced head coach Chip Kelly to leave a dormant UCLA and take an OC position. If Kelly is willing to do that, there is clearly Natty eyes on everyone in Columbus.
The Spartan defense will have its hands full and then some against OSU. Buckeye backs are quite possibly the best in the nation and they landed Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin to make sure these backs get the blocks. Henderson and Judkins are playing the season to raise that NFL stock and both backs can run. Buckeyes are also high on QB transfer from Kansas State, Will Howard. Personally, I feel Howard does have some weaknesses and the main one being the pressure he is going to have on his back from the fandom. We may think the WR room is finely safer with no Marvin Harrison Jr, but this is OSU, and they can turn out some quality receivers. It will be interesting to see what kind of connection Howard builds in the passing game.
The OSU defense returns 7 starters, two of which are likely first round picks, from an already dominant defense. MSU’s o-line will be working extra hard to keep Chiles on his feet. His scramble ability may be able to open up some opportunities against the linebackers. Buckeye secondary will be covering Spartan wideouts like a fire blanket.
This is definitely a game that could get ugly, frustrating and hard to watch. Remember Spartan fans, we’re rebuilding. We have to look at this game to find points of growth and development for the future. But….wouldn’t it be nice…..if just maybe…..Spartan spoiler…..it never hurts to dream big.
OREGON
After OSU coming to town, the Spartans immediately head west for a short week and a Friday night game in Phil Knight town against our first matchup against a new BIG member, Oregon. Spartans and Ducks have faced off seven times with the home team winning every game and the difference maker being a Duck win on a neutral site in a bizarre 7-6 game in 2018. The Ducks were also excited about keeping coach Dan Lanning for another season.
With Bo Nix now in the NFL, the Ducks land former Sooner Dillon Gabriel who could finish the season as the NCAA’s all-time passing leader. Gabriel is behind a very solid line that should give him plenty of time to throw. The Spartan’s d-line will need to find a way to get pressure to get Gabriel to throw on the run. Jordan James will lead the backfield and Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart is more than capable of the big play.
MSU offense will have some chances to make things happen. The Duck defense is a slew of new names and transfer portal grabs that everyone in Eugene is hoping are worth the money. This includes the former Spartan Derrick Harmon who has big expectations on him, and the Spartans would love to make some plays at his expense. The key for MSU is to be able to give Chiles time to throw and light it up Penix style through the air. It’s possible this game could have a lot of points, curious to see what the o/u will end up prior to the game.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK