Scott Frost.JPG

Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost will have his hands full facing Pat Narduzzi's Michigan State defense on Sept. 13, a unit that has finished in the top six nationally in yards allowed the last three years.

(Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian)

EUGENE -- The significance of the Oregon Ducks' showdown against the Michigan State Spartans isn't sneaking up on anybody.

Not after already being called the best non-conference college football game of 2014. Not with matchups such as Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota against Big Ten defensive lineman of the year Shilique Calhoun. And not with the possibility each team could be ranked in the top five when they walk into Autzen Stadium together on Sept. 6. (Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.)

The top storyline surrounding the matchup also isn't a shocker, either: Oregon's spread offense with Mariota at the helm against the Spartans' top-10 defense. But it's a matchup that is only getting more interesting as the Spartans' defense is increasingly viewed as a unit that's every bit as innovative as the uptempo spread offenses made famous by Oregon and others in recent years.

At least, that's the belief of MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, who has reason to believe so as the architect of a defense that finished 2013 in the top three in the nation in total defense, points allowed, and rushing and pass defense. According to reports from Michigan, MSU is expected to return about seven starters or key reserves from last year's defense.

In an interview with ESPN's Big Ten blog last week Narduzzi said what he runs is "cutting edge."

"I don't think there's a team in the country that does what we do," Narduzzi said. "We're more cutting edge [with] zone pressure. We're cutting edge with how we play our quarters [Cover 4] coverage. It's adapted to if you play Stanford, a two-back, two-tight end team, or an empty team. We do a lot of things people don't do and to be honest, people are trying to copycat it all over the country."

Without disclosing any trade secrets, Narduzzi did suggest that what helps MSU stand apart is how quickly it alters its look or perceived pre-snap intent once the ball is snapped.

"We've got smart kids and we've got good coaches and we work at what we do," Narduzzi said. "Post-snap we're going to have something different coming at you."

That "something" is a load of pressure from its numerous zone blitzes, a strategy that is so aggressive Narduzzi told ESPN another Big Ten defensive coordinator confided in him that "I don't know how the f--- you guys do it, but I love it.'"

And Narduzzi's peeling back of the curtain on MSU's system is another reason to love the potential of this much-hyped matchup.

On to the links:

The stunning spring of Oregon redshirt freshman receiver Devon Allen continues.

Former UO Duck Laura Roesler also had a great day at the U.S. championships.

Roesler recently had a one-on-one sitdown interiew with KEZI-TV.

Joey Harrington and other former notable Pac-12 athletes golfed for charity in Bandon.

Harrington and former UO tight end Justin Peelle represented UO at the event, which benefited Harrington's foundation.

As it always is, Ted Millers' ESPN Pac-12 mailbag is worth your time.

From late last week: Jeremiah Masoli is staying in Canada a little longer.

The daily links at Addicted to Quack.

-- Andrew Greif | @andrewgreif