### Oregon Prepares to Host Struggling Michigan State for Friday Showdown

As No. 6 Oregon gears up to face Michigan State this Friday at Autzen Stadium, fans and analysts are keen to understand both teams' readiness. With kickoff set for 6 p.m. on Fox, the spotlight falls on the visiting Spartans and their season's tumultuous journey. To get the inside scoop, The Oregonian/OregonLive consulted Michigan State beat reporter Matt Wenzel. His insights illuminate the challenges faced by the Spartans this season.

**Turnovers Plague Michigan State's Offense**

Michigan State's offensive woes start with their first-year starting quarterback, Aidan Chiles. Despite displaying moments of brilliance, Chiles has struggled to protect the ball, leading to eight interceptions, one of the highest in the nation, alongside a couple of fumbles. The recent loss to Ohio State epitomized these issues as Michigan State squandered red zone opportunities, converting only one out of four attempts with two fumbles and a turnover on downs.

**Run Game Falling Short**

Beyond turnovers, the Spartans' lackluster run game remains a significant bottleneck, averaging a mere 132.4 yards per game. Their offensive line, already beleaguered by injuries to their top two right guards, has been further hampered by starting true freshmen at left tackle against the Buckeyes. This puts additional pressure on Chiles to elevate the offense through both his passing and rushing abilities, a formidable task for a quarterback with only five career starts.

**Defensive Standouts: Bogle and Turner**

On the defensive side, Jordan Turner and Khris Bogle have been instrumental in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, each leading the team with three sacks. Turner's success is attributed to his adaptability in new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi's scheme, showing outstanding performance with nine tackles and an interception return last week. Similarly, Bogle has thrived in a new role closely resembling his duties as an outside linebacker during his tenure at Florida.

**Measuring Success for Coach Smith's First Year**

For coach Smith, rejuvenating the Spartans and making them competitive against top-tier teams is a priority in his maiden season. Last year, Michigan State was heavily outscored by elite teams such as Washington, Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. A marked improvement was evident in the first half against the Buckeyes, although turnovers ultimately led to their downfall. Ending a two-year bowl drought remains a challenging yet crucial objective.

**Score Prediction and Final Thoughts**

Wenzel forecasts a tough battle for Michigan State. Comparing Oregon to Ohio State, he predicts Oregon's offense will pose similar challenges. The Spartans need an impeccable turnover margin and a clicking offense to stand a chance, goals that may prove too ambitious given their current form. Consequently, he anticipates a final score of Oregon 38, Michigan State 17.

As the countdown to the game continues, both teams have much at stake. For Oregon, maintaining their high ranking is paramount, while Michigan State seeks to find stability and competitiveness under their new coach.