WhatIfSports 2014 College Football Week 2 Predictions

Each Monday, WhatIfSports.com's NCAA college football simulation engine provides game predictions for every D-1 FBS game that upcoming week. The college football simulation engine generates detailed information for each game including each team's chances of winning (Win%) and the average points scored for both teams. 

Check out our 2014 College Football Season-to-Date page to follow our accuracy and for Upsets of the Week.

The statistical inputs to the thousands of college football simulations are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically based player rankings. Roster modifications are made in cases of injury or suspension and those players are removed from their team's game simulation for that week.

Game of the Week: Michigan State at Oregon

We'll get more details as we learned more about the statistical DNA of the team when they don't play little sisters of poor.

It didn't take long for Spartan Nation to hold their collective breath. Quarterback Connor Cook was forced to leave their Week 1 game on the second pass of the season (which resulted in a touchdown) after this knee bent awkwardly following a hit. He needed assistance to get off the field and most of those who saw the injury thought Cook's season was finished. It wasn't. Cook returned and torched Jacksonville State for 285 yards with three touchdown with only one incompletion. The rushing attack racked up over 200 yards on 50 carries with three more trips to the end zone.

As is the case with early-season cupcake opponents, it's hard to gauge exactly what this MSU team can do against an opponent like Oregon on the road. The Spartans' defense held Jacksonville to 244 total yards. The unit finished the 2013 season ranked inside the top three nationally in scoring and total defense.

Twenty-three hundred miles to the West, Heisman Trophy hopeful Marcus Mariota (MARR-ee-oo-tah) torched South Dakota for 267 yards through the air with three touchdowns and another score coming on the ground before passing the baton to Jeff Lockie. His favorite target on the afternoon was Byron Marshall with eight receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns.

Oregon - known more for its offense in recent years - ranked inside the top 15 in points allowed nationally last season.

One of the more enjoyable stats / trends heading into the contest comes from Andrew Greif from Oregon Live who dropped this nugget - The Spartans are 49-18 against non-conference opponents since 1999, a season that began with Michigan State -- then coached by Nick Saban -- beating Oregon, 27-20, in East Lansing, Mich. The programs are 2-2 against one another all-time.

We simulated the Spartans and Ducks 101 times and it's Oregon winning 53.5 percent of the time by an average score of 22-21.

For additional statistics, view our weekly college football predictions.