Oregon Ducks vs Boise State Broncos Picks and Predictions September 7th 2024

No. 7 Oregon is bracing for a major challenge this Saturday as they take on Boise State. The Ducks (1-0) escaped their season opener with a 24-14 victory over Idaho, but it wasn’t the dominating performance fans expected. Dropping from No. 3 to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 poll, Oregon is under pressure to clean up its game, especially with Boise State’s explosive offense on the horizon.

Oregon’s Offensive Struggles in Season Opener

While the Ducks managed to grab a win, their offense was far from sharp. Oregon struggled to find consistency against Idaho, and it was clear that there’s a lot of work ahead. Key plays were wiped out by procedural and holding penalties, and the offensive line, usually a strength, allowed Idaho to get pressure on new quarterback Dillon Gabriel. This led to three sacks and a lost fumble, making it tough for Oregon to build momentum. Even more surprising, the ground game, which is typically strong, only managed an average of 2.9 yards per carry.

Despite these issues, Dillon Gabriel still put up impressive numbers in his Ducks debut. He completed 41 of 49 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jordan James contributed 95 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. But the Ducks’ inability to finish drives left fans and coaches frustrated.

Boise State’s High-Octane Rushing Attack

If Oregon’s offense looked shaky, Boise State’s was on fire. The Broncos (1-0) are coming off a 56-45 win over Georgia Southern, and their rushing game was nothing short of spectacular. Leading the charge was star running back Ashton Jeanty, who put up a record-setting performance with 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns on just 20 carries. Jeanty’s explosive game broke a Boise State program record for single-game rushing yards and tied the Mountain West record for rushing touchdowns in a game.

The Broncos as a whole racked up 371 rushing yards and 651 total yards of offense. Quarterback Maddux Madsen also had a solid game, throwing for 280 yards, but Boise State’s defense showed weaknesses, allowing Georgia Southern to score 45 points and tally up 504 total yards.

Despite these defensive lapses, Boise State’s offense is a well-oiled machine, and Oregon’s defense will need to be ready for Jeanty and the Broncos’ relentless rushing attack. Boise State’s head coach Andy Avalos and defensive coordinator Erik Chinander are focused on tightening up their defense before they face Oregon. “We’ve got to get better at what we do,” Chinander said. “We’ve got to get ready for formations, the shifts, the movers, and the different plays.”

Oregon Defense Needs to Bring the Heat

While Oregon’s offense has its issues to resolve, their defense showed flashes of dominance in the opener against Idaho. The Ducks held the Vandals to just 217 total yards and only allowed 10 first downs. Oregon’s defense also forced two interceptions and held Idaho to just 2 of 12 on third-down conversions.

The Ducks will need that same level of intensity if they want to slow down Boise State’s red-hot offense, particularly Ashton Jeanty, who is coming off one of the best games in recent memory.

Boise State’s History of Success Against Oregon

Boise State has a proven track record when it comes to playing Oregon. The Broncos are 3-0 all-time against the Ducks, winning their previous matchups in 2008, 2009, and most recently in the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl, where Boise State secured a 38-28 victory.

Despite their dominance in past meetings, Oregon is determined to bounce back from their underwhelming opener and prove they belong in the top tier of college football. This game is a huge opportunity for the Ducks to get back on track and reassert themselves as one of the nation’s top teams.

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Ashton Jeanty vs. Oregon’s Defense: Jeanty is coming off a career game with 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Can Oregon’s defense contain him, or will Boise State’s ground game run wild again?
• Dillon Gabriel vs. Boise State’s Defense: Gabriel looked sharp in his Ducks debut, but Boise State’s defense is stronger than Idaho’s. Can he maintain that high level of play, or will the Broncos’ defense create problems?
• Oregon’s Offensive Line vs. Boise State’s Front Seven: Oregon’s offensive line struggled against Idaho, allowing three sacks. If the Ducks can’t protect Gabriel better, it could spell trouble against Boise State’s pass rush.

What’s at Stake?

This game carries huge implications for both teams. For Oregon, it’s about righting the ship and cleaning up mistakes that surfaced against Idaho. A win would help them regain momentum and prove that their preseason top-five ranking was justified. But for Boise State, this is a chance to keep their winning streak against the Ducks alive and continue building off their impressive offensive performance.

With both teams coming into this matchup with something to prove, the energy is set to be sky-high in Eugene. A win for either side could shape the rest of their season, making this a must-watch game.

Saturday’s game between Oregon and Boise State promises to be a showdown full of excitement, high stakes, and explosive plays. Oregon is determined to clean up their mistakes and show the country why they belong in the top 10, while Boise State is riding high after an incredible offensive performance.

As both teams take the field, all eyes will be on key players like Ashton Jeanty and Dillon Gabriel to see who steps up under the pressure. Will Oregon get their season back on track, or will Boise State continue its dominance over the Ducks? One thing’s for sure: this is going to be one thrilling game.