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Nate Carter revival and 2 more bold predictions for Michigan State vs. Oregon

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 21, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Nate Carter (5) runs the ball with Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jeremiah Hughes (3) tackling during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Nate Carter (5) runs the ball with Michigan State Spartans defensive back Jeremiah Hughes (3) tackling during the first half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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Going into Eugene does not make for an easy matchup for the Spartans. Friday night's Michigan State vs. Oregon game will take center stage nationally and the Spartans will need some key players to step up if they're going to make a statement and pull off the unthinkable upset.

Guys like Aidan Chiles and Nate Carter will need to play their best games of the season if Michigan State is going to go into Autzen Stadium and leave with a win.

That leads me to my first bold prediction for Friday's Big Ten showdown.

1. Nate Carter finally hits 100 yards

Ever since his 91-yard performance on eight carries against Prairie View A&M, Carter has been basically invisible. Against Boston College, he carried the ball nine times for nine yards and against Ohio State, he had just six carries for 27 yards.

Basically, he just hasn't been quite as effective as Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams this season and I feel like it's only a matter of time before he breaks through with a big performance.

Oregon has gotten gashed on the ground this season already and the Ducks rank 55th against the run so this is the perfect opportunity for Carter to finally break the 100-yard mark.

2. Aidan Chiles protects the ball

I hate that this is a bold prediction because Aidan Chiles is talented enough to win a game on his own, but he could also put the Spartans in bad spots on his own because of turnovers.

He'll avoid the turnover bug for the first time against a Power Four opponent this season.

It's not the craziest prediction, but I see Chiles protecting the ball against a really good secondary and using his legs more when receivers aren't open. The Spartans will avoid horrible situations because of Chiles' improved decision-making (like what we saw for the most part against Ohio State).

3. Michigan State covers

The spread for this game as of Friday afternoon was 23.5 points in favor of Oregon which feels like a lot considering the Spartans have looked better than expected this season but they did just lost by 31 at home to Ohio State -- the score was much worse than the actual performance.

Michigan State isn't being given much of a chance to win here and I think Jonathan Smith will have his guys ready to go against his former top rival who he has upset in the past.

The game will be close for a half but the Ducks will pull away late to win by three touchdowns. But hey, a 21-point loss still covers the spread.

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