EUGENE -- It's been called the biggest game of the college football nonconference schedule, and in just over a month, Oregon vs. Michigan State will kick off at Autzen Stadium.

Of course, the Ducks and Spartans will start their seasons with other opponents -- the Ducks with South Dakota and the Spartans with Jacksonville State. Neither team would ever acknowledge looking ahead to the season's second week, even if it is billed as a potential top-10 matchup. Each team, after all, has a month of camp before it even faces an opponent, and many issues must be answered before their respective openers.

But the magnitude of the matchup between the Ducks, with national title expectations, and the reigning Rose Bowl champion Spartans, however, invites an extra level of preseason scrutiny, which is why The Oregonian's Andrew Greif discussed each team's pertinent preseason topics with Michigan State writer Mike Griffith of MLive.com.

As fall camp opens for each team, here are some hot topics in East Lansing and Eugene.

What is the biggest issue the Spartans face heading into fall camp?

MG: Without a doubt, it's getting the linebacking corps settled. The three starters are in the books -- Darien Harris, Taiwan Jones and Ed Davis. But Jones is moving inside to replace departed two-time All-Big Ten middle linebacker Max Bullough, and while Jones is every bit as athletic as Bullough if not more so, Bullough was known as "The Computer" for his ability to diagnose plays, audible effectively and get the Spartans' lined up with precision. Jones is still working to prove he can do that. If he's not able to handle those responsibilities, Harris has played MLB and Jones will go back outside.

What is the biggest issue the Ducks face heading into fall camp?

AG: The biggest issue for fall camp, in my opinion, is finding new contributors on special teams. Oregon's offense and defense each return a majority of talented starters, but the Ducks need to instill confidence at kicker in sophomore Matt Wogan, formally announce a new punter — Wogan and freshman Ian Wheeler are in competition there — break in a new long snapper and holder and replace injured, explosive junior receiver Bralon Addison on punt returns and kickoffs.

At what position is Michigan State most unsettled?

MG: The linebackers represent the most unsettled position group, but the most unsettled position is the cornerback slot opposite of preseason All-Big Ten pick Trae Waynes. Sophomore Darian Hicks played as a true freshman and has impressed with his film study and assignment-sound football, but there's still plenty of competition at the position as junior Arjen Colquhoun, sophomore Jermaine Edmondson and redshirt freshman Justin Williams are all pushing. State also recruited a pair of talented freshmen corners who will get an opportunity to show what they've got when the pads go on Wednesday.

At what position is Oregon most unsettled?

AG: Even entering spring practice receiver was considered an unsettled position — and then Addison injured ligaments in a knee that could keep him out the year. Senior Keanon Lowe is the only returner with much experience, and though the Ducks have talented options in younger players such as Dwayne Stanford, Devon Allen (the NCAA and U.S. high hurdles champion) and Darren Carrington, there's much work to be done.

What is the strongest position group for the Spartans?

MG: Mark Dantonio said Saturday it's the defensive line, even with the loss of projected starting defensive tackle Damon Knox who is out for an undetermined amount of time with an injury, the details of which Dantonio chose not to reveal. The Spartans' defensive ends are nasty with Shilique Calhoun and Marcus Rush the projected starters, and up-and-comer Demetrious Cooper checking in at No. 3. The bell cow of the recruiting class, Malik McDowell, is a physical specimen and could see immediate playing time as the fourth defensive end.

What is the strongest position group for the Ducks -- other than Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota?

AG: I think it's a toss-up between the running backs and offensive line. In the backfield both junior Byron Marshall and sophomore Thomas Tyner return after they combined for more than 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. They'll run behind a line that brings back every starter, though the health of preseason All-American Tyler Johnstone's knee — he suffered an ACL tear during the Alamo Bowl — is a key storyline for the left tackle. Leading the group is center Hroniss Grasu, who could have turned pro early but returned for his senior season.

What position group has the biggest area of concern for the Spartans?

MG: Probably the linebackers, but defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi has done such a good job over the years -- State has led the Big Ten and finished in the top six nationally in defense each of the past three seasons -- that many believe Narduzzi can solve that puzzle. The receivers really came on the second half of last season and were playing as well as any Big Ten receiving corps by the end of the year. But it's a new season, and it will be up to the receiving corps to prove they weren't a one-hit wonder.

What position group has the biggest area of concern for the Ducks?

AG: I think I'd say the secondary is the position of most concern largely because of the league Oregon plays in. The Pac-12 has taken on the nickname of the "conference of quarterbacks" this season, and they all like to throw the ball a lot. Oregon is replacing three starters to pair with All-American corner Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, and though the secondary candidates all largely have a wealth of experience as backups, they'll be tested often.

What's the predominant storyline entering fall camp at Michigan State?

MG: That would be Michigan State's ability to handle success. The Spartans are notorious for failing to live up to high expectations when they have been placed upon them, and there is statistical data to back that up. Michigan State has been ranked in the top 15 in the nation entering six seasons since 1967 -- 2012, 1988, 1979, 1975, 1969 and 1967 – and all six times the Spartans were unranked by season's end. In the Great Lakes State, it has become cliche to talk about the chip on State's shoulder, but there's a reason cliches become cliches, and that's because they are often true or applicable. If the Spartans don't beat or keep it close with the Ducks, they'll likely hear they can't handle expectations throughout the season.

What's the predominant storyline entering fall camp at Oregon?

AG: I think the predominant storyline has been reaction to a spring where Oregon lost 10 players to transfers or dismissals. Some of them were expected as regular attrition due to playing time and the lack thereof. But many were surprised by transfers of two backup quarterbacks, which leaves true freshman Morgan Mahalak possibly as a third-string option, and three linebackers in particular because of the depth they were expected to provide in 2014.

How much has Michigan State talked about the Oregon game?

MG: They've politely and professionally addressed it when asked, which is to say, more often than your usual second game of the season. The players have expressed that the Oregon game represents an opportunity to keep their spot at the grown-ups table and remain in the conversation for the College Football Playoff and the top 10 of the national rankings. State also realizes it will be carrying the Big Ten banner, as the conference is in need of a marquee win over a marquee team from another Power Five conference. With those interests in mind, it's not a stretch to say that a win against the Ducks could end up representing the biggest nonconference win at Michigan State of the new millennium should it help propel the Spartans to a College Football Playoff appearance. Dantonio plays it straight on big games -- he avoids tired coach-speak -- and he's willing to acknowledge this presents his program a special opportunity, and that the Spartans will need to be at their best to compete in a hostile environment like Autzen Stadium against a program like Oregon boasts seemingly year-in and year-out. The Michigan State fans have talked about the game a great deal, many looking forward to making the trip and sharing what should be an interesting afternoon with the Ducks' fans in Eugene.

How much has Oregon talked about the Michigan State game?

AG: Oregon really hasn't discussed Michigan State much, if at all. I don't remember the Spartans being a talking point during spring practice, though I think it's fair to say they were discussed indirectly often when Duck players would talk about their offseason weight gains. Linemen in particular said it was to play a more punishing brand of football to match up with the likes of Stanford. If Michigan State wasn't explicitly mentioned then, their rough playing style was surely a motivator behind closed doors.

-- Andrew Greif | @andrewgreif