Boise State at Oregon kicks off today at 12:30 p.m PT on CBS, Brad Nessler, Charles Davis and Jenny Dell on the call for the national network telecast.
It's the season opener for both teams. The Ducks are 24.5-point favorites with an over/under of 51.5. According to ESPN analytics, the website's matchup predictor gives the Webfoots a 94.8% chance to win.
The Ducks are 25-2 at home under Dan Lanning. Entering his fifth season as a head coach the former national champion defensive coordinator at Georgia is 33-0 against unranked teams, 15-8 against ranked teams. Boise State comes into the contest placed just outside the AP Poll among "others receiving votes" at what would be No. 29.
Lanning's .652 winning percentage against ranked opponents is the top mark in the West, while his overall win rate of .857 (48-8) remains on-pace to join the top coaches in the game once he reaches 100 wins, in company with Knute Rockne (.881,) Frank Leahy (.864) and Urban Meyer (.854.)
The visiting Broncos own a longstanding reputation as a team with a propensity for trick plays but in reality their offense is a run-first operation. Under head coach Spencer Danielson they keep the ball on the ground 57% of the time on first down, 73% of the time on 2nd and short, 2nd and medium and third and short.
Two years ago Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty tortured the Oregon defense with 192 yards rushing and three touchdowns; he is long gone to the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders. Replacing him are two capable backs in Dylan Riley (5-10, 192) and Sire Gaines (6-0, 217,) who combined for 1,936 yards and 18 touchdowns a year ago.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen can push the ball downfield a bit. He battled injuries last season that limited his effectiveness, a career 60.8 passer from Lehi, Utah, 5-10, 207.
The Broncos return three starters on the offensive line, the center, right guard and right tackle. Opponents sacked Bronco QBs 26 times a season ago with Madsen missing most of a loss to Fresno State with an ankle injury.
The senior starter had a miserable outing in a 38-10 loss to Washington in the L.A. Bowl last December, held to 7-16 passing for 51 yards, intercepted twice.
Pundits showered this Oregon roster with praise this offseason, particularly for the defensive line which returns all four starters. Something to watch closely today is whether those reputations translate into production: The Oregon defense should be stifling in the season opener if the "natty or bust" talk is to have any staying power.
From a veteran player-led team it's reasonable to expect a focused performance and sharp execution, but first games can be tricky. Two years ago the Ducks opened the season with a couple of unconvincing, even alarmingly close wins over Boise State and Idaho. There are 43 million reasons to expect 2026 to be decidedly different.
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