How to watch Oregon Ducks vs. Michigan State: Channel, streaming, preview, prediction

EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks have their first conference home game as a member of the Big Ten Conference on Friday, October 4th against the Michigan State Spartans at 6 p.m. Oregon is on a four-game winning streak after a 34-13 victory over UCLA, a game in which the Ducks didn’t allow a single offensive touchdown.

However, a new challenge awaits the Ducks as they prepare for their first Big Ten game against Michigan State at Autzen Stadium.

How to watch:

Preview:

The No. 6 Oregon Ducks look to continue to build momentum ahead of their highly anticipated game against the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes beginning Saturday, October 12 at 4:30 p.m. However, before the Ducks and Oregon coach Dan Lanning who can concentrate on preparing for the Buckeyes, they must first face the Michigan State Spartans.

Oregon has a 4-3 all-time record against the Spartans and is 3-0 against Michigan State at Autzen Stadium. Although the Ducks have only had seven meetings with the Michigan State Spartans, they are quite familiar with the Spartans’ coaching schedule. Former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith has moved from Corvallis, Oregon to East Lansing, Michigan to become Michigan State’s 26th head coach.

“There are definitely some similar pieces. I think they always do a good job of challenging you in the running game and creating different images than maybe what you see. They always do a great job of this throughout college football. Defensively a little different than last year at Oregon State, but still very, very good and also doing some things that challenge you,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said before the match.

Smith replaced former Spartans coach Mel Tucker, who was fired from the Spartans’ athletic department in September 2023 after admitting to sexual irregularities.

Under Smith’s leadership, the Spartans are 3-2 overall, most recently losing to Ohio State 38-7 on September 28th and Boston College 23-19 on September 21st. Smith and his Spartans are looking for a cathartic win against the Ducks on Friday night. However, it won’t be easy to spring a surprise.

Oregon is off to a winning start as a member of the Big Ten Conference and begins its new chapter with a win over UCLA that improves the Ducks to 4-0 on the season. Oregon’s defense held UCLA to just 172 total yards and 47 rushing yards while keeping the UCLA offense out of the end zone throughout the game. Jordan Burch had two of Oregon’s seven tackles for loss, while Tysheem Johnson and Bryce Boettcher each finished the game with an interception.

Offensively, Oregon starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 31 of 41 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Traeshon Holden caught the first pass for Oregon’s first Big Ten Conference touchdown. Receiver Tez Johnson finished the conference opener with 11 catches for 121 yards and scored two touchdowns. Running back Jordan James also had a successful game, reaching his career high with 13 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Oregon looks to remain undefeated at home at Autzen Stadium on Friday night. The Ducks are 6-0 in those games. Overall, the Ducks are 12-4 on Friday nights since 2010.

Forecast:

Oregon is favored to win the game, and for good reason. The Ducks have made it their mission to be the most connected team in the country and seem to be improving every week. Although the Spartans have some talented players and a coaching staff that is very familiar with Oregon, it won’t be enough to beat the Ducks, especially in the loud, competitive atmosphere of Autzen Stadium. Oregon wins 31-14.