No. 2 Oregon opens its season against Boise State in a matchup with major postseason implications. The Ducks enter one of their most anticipated seasons in program history under coach Dan Lanning with serious expectations of winning the national championship. Oregon has 38 wins over the past three seasons, the most in college football.
Boise State just won its third straight Mountain West championship but faces a new challenge after entering the new-look Pac-12. The Broncos remain a Group of Six darling behind quarterback Maddux Madsen and defensive end Jayden Virgin-Morgan, but nonconference matchups against Oregon and Memphis will push them to the limit.
Two years ago, Boise State went on the road and nearly stunned the Ducks in a 37-34 victory. The performance elevated them into the College Football Playoff mix. Amazingly, the Broncos are actually 3-1 against the Ducks all-time, including a home-and-home in 2008-09. That said, Oregon's No. 2 ranking is the best start to the season in program history.
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Boise State's incredible energy kept up on defense. After getting on the board early, the Broncos held Oregon to only 19 yards on their first drive. On fourth down, JeRico Washington went head-to-head with former five-star receiver Evan Stewart and got him to the ground for a turnover on downs. Boise State has been the m ore balanced and more physical team.
Boise State came to play! Quarterback Maddux Madsen kept plays alive with both his arm and legs to lead a 12-play drive down the field through the heart of Oregon's defense. He finished things off with a nifty touchdown pass to the corner of the end zone and Boise State has its first lead of the game. This was exactly the kind of start that the Broncos needed to build confidence.
Oregon won the toss and will defer, giving Boise State a critical first opportunity against the Ducks' stacked defense. The Broncos were able to notch a field goal drive their last first drive in Autzen Stadium, and it helped set the tone.
The last time these two teams met, it was a highly competitive affair. But while Boise State is a popular pick to make the playoff, this is the best Oregon team in history. The Ducks will lean on their stacked defensive front to cause major issues and hit just enough shots in the passing game to cover a big line. Pick: Oregon -24.5
Boise State is the prohibitive favorite to make the College Football Playoff from the Group of Six after winning a third straight Mountain West title last season. The Broncos have competitive depth all over the field and a handful of big-time talents that could play at the next level.
As a 24-point road underdog against a loaded Ducks team, the Broncos' viability will be assessed on more than whether they merely win or lose. Even if they don't pull a monumental upset, how they look will play a significant role in shaping the early-season discourse about which Group of Six program will earn an automatic CFP bid in 2026.
Over the past three years, the national championship has been won by programs that retained at an elite level, developed major playmakers and boasted numerous seniors. All the stars are aligning for Oregon heading into the season.
Quarterback Dante Moore would have been the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft had he declared, but he instead decided to try and lead the program to a national championship. Wide receiver Evan Stewart, defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington and edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei also opted to return. This is a culminating moment for the last 25 years of Oregon football.
