Just going to do this as a board post. This is my article from Smith's comments today
As Michigan State prepares for a tough Friday night matchup against Oregon, head coach Jonathan Smith shared his thoughts on the Ducks and their formidable presence on both sides of the ball. With a quick turnaround after their last game, Smith noted the challenge of facing Oregon on the road, but expressed confidence in his team's preparation.
"Just walked off the practice field and kind of turned the page to a brand-new opponent, another challenging opponent on the road, but excited about the opportunity," said Smith, highlighting the intensity of preparing for a game on a short week.
Smith had high praise for Oregon’s explosive offense, singling out quarterback Dillon Gabriel for his impressive accuracy and leadership. "The quarterback's a good player, accurate with the ball, might be leading the country in completion percentage, and they've got some athletes that he's throwing it to," Smith remarked. Oregon’s offense has been a juggernaut this season, and Smith made it clear that his team will have their hands full containing them.
On the defensive side, Smith commended Oregon’s steady improvement, particularly in their recent performance against UCLA. "I look at those guys, they just continue to improve...played really, really well against UCLA, held them pretty much throughout the entire game," he said. Oregon’s defense, according to Smith, has grown stronger each week, making the upcoming matchup all the more difficult.
Smith is no stranger to the environment his team will face in Eugene, having experienced it as both a player and coach during his tenure at Oregon State. He acknowledged the challenges of playing in a hostile atmosphere, noting, "It's definitely an exciting fan base that feels like they impact the game, and so these are the type of games you love playing in."
When asked about his familiarity with Oregon’s program, given his extensive coaching experience in the Pac-12, Smith admitted that it’s a two-way street. "Obviously, you know, their schemes the last couple of years have been consistent...but I don't know if there's one side that gets an advantage with it," he explained, recognizing that both teams are familiar with each other's strategies.
Smith also addressed the emotional aspect of facing Oregon, a program he’s intimately familiar with from his time at Oregon State. "Once it's kicked off, it's a college football game...and emotionally, you approach it the same," Smith stated, emphasizing that he and his staff, including some with Oregon ties, are focused on the task at hand rather than the rivalry.
As Michigan State looks to rebound after some tough outings, Smith remains focused on getting the best out of his team, particularly in terms of balancing pressure and coverage. Reflecting on their previous game, he noted, "You've got to pick your poison...they did a nice job, and us trying to continue to mix up our looks." This flexibility will be crucial in handling Oregon’s versatile offense.
Looking ahead to the game, Smith acknowledged the importance of leadership within his squad, highlighting the player-led aspect of Michigan State’s approach. "You want to be able to kind of share the vision of what it needs to look like, but then, you know, pass the ownership to the players. And these guys have," said Smith, reflecting on how his team has grown.
Finally, when asked about the dissolution of the Pac-12 and Oregon’s departure for the Big Ten, Smith expressed a sense of loss for the historic conference but remained focused on the future. "That conference was a historical conference, conference of champions...There is some pride and grit to the two great places that are still there, Washington State and Oregon State," Smith remarked, adding that the high level of play from both schools this season shows their resilience.
With respect for Oregon’s head coach Dan Lanning, Smith shared his admiration for his counterpart. "Dan's a really good coach. I enjoy our conversations when we gather at meetings...He's done a great job there, and he'll present another challenge with his team," Smith said, knowing that the Ducks will be a formidable opponent.
As Michigan State prepares for Friday’s game, Smith and his staff will be ready for the challenge that awaits in Eugene.
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