Last Saturday, the Spartans showed they belong on the field with a team like Ohio State, moving the ball with consistency in the first half but losing two fumbles in the red zone to sink their chances of an upset.  

If MSU head coach Jonathan Smith and his new-look Spartans can play their cards right, last Saturday's effort could be a prelude for MSU's road showdown with No. 6 Oregon on Friday. 

MSU sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles wasn’t happy with the team's second-half play but said it's capable of having success going forward, with a blueprint to follow. Chiles said if the Spartans play like they did in the first half against the Buckeyes, they can do the same against any other team. 

"We just didn’t go out there and compete like we should have," Chiles said after practice Tuesday. "I think this team is full of competitors and we walked out there and basically laid an egg."

MSU saw the red zone three times in the first half and scored points just once. Had the Spartans traded two red zone fumbles for at least two field goals, they would've had a fighting chance in the second half. 

Instead, a 17-point deficit entering the locker room was enough to demoralize MSU.

The Spartans showcased their ability to compete with the No. 3 school in the country, fostering hope for their matchup with the Ducks, Smith’s previous rival at Oregon State. Oregon is coming off a dominant win over UCLA, winning 34-13 last week.

The Spartan defense is ranked 30th in the nation and has displayed confidence against talented, well-coached offenses. MSU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Rossi has curated a strong, consistent defense that can make big plays. The Buckeyes' 38 points last week was their lowest total this season. 

MSU’s offense has been inconsistent but still shown flashes of its talent and potential. It did a number of positive things against one of the top defenses in the country last week, MSU offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said. 

"Guys feel that sense of confidence moving forward," Lindgren said.

If MSU can play complimentary football and execute against Oregon, it has a chance to shock the college football world at Autzen Stadium. The Spartans know they can do it. They played themselves out of a back-and-forth game against one of the favorites to win the national title. 

"It’s a shock to everybody else that we can move the ball," Chiles said. "But to us, we know we can do this."

The Spartans will face off against the Ducks at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 in Eugene, OR. The game will be aired on FOX.