EUGENE — No. 6 Oregon defeated Michigan State 31-10 Friday night at Autzen Stadium. Here are 10 takeaways from the game as the Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) prepare to host No.
2 Ohio State on Saturday: 1) Jordan Burch is the most valuable player on the roster This should not be a revelation to anyone who’s been paying attention. Burch is the game-wrecking edge all rusher teams cherish and he’s delivering the results to back it up. He’s likely got the highest ceiling of anyone on the roster in terms of the NFL draft.
When Burch went down in the Pac-12 championship game, Washington attacked the void. His decision to return game the Ducks a premier pass rusher to build around and he’s taken his game to another level so far this season. Oregon has other edge defenders, but none are close to Burch right now.
RELATED: Jordan James’ runs, Jordan Burch’s sacks send No. 6 Oregon football past Michigan State 2) Jordan James needed that kind of performance Oregon needed explosive runs and to show it has a legitimate bell cow with Bucky Irving gone. James’ 41-yard run was a well drawn up play and his barreling through defenders for several runs of 10-plus showed he’s got the power and durability to be a 20-carry back.
3) Dillon Gabriel is forcing throws in the red zone Gabriel did not put the jeopardy at all in the first three games. Suddenly he’s thrown three interceptions in two games and they’re all inside the 10, with time to throw. What made the two interceptions a.