Game Day Guide: Boise State visits No. 7 Oregon as heavy underdogs
The Broncos look to shine under the Autzen Stadium lights Saturday night as heavy underdogs. Boise State enters Eugene with a 3-0 all-time record against the Ducks.
Boise State looks to generate additional nationwide attention Saturday night when it lines up with No. 7 Oregon as heavy underdogs under the lights of Autzen Stadium.
"Our guys have been hearing about playing Oregon since last season ended. Immediately after the bowl game ended it was Oregon 2024," Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said. "That's why you come to Boise State, to have an opportunity to play these games, to play a top-five opponent on the road."
The Broncos tout a 3-0 all-time record against the regional rival, but the Dillon Gabriel-led Ducks are the highest-ranked Oregon team the blue and orange has ever faced. The previously third-ranked Ducks slipped to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 poll Tuesday after surviving Idaho.
The gunslinger is no stranger to Boise State – Gabriel tossed for 318 yards and four touchdowns while guiding UCF past the Broncos in the 2021 season opener. After transferring to Oklahoma, Gabriel now joins star running back as Heisman candidates this fall.
Jeanty put the Broncos in the college football spotlight with a season-opening performance worthy of primetime show segments, national accolades, heightened NFL Draft hype and Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors. He was also featured on the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast.
The 215-pound bruiser surpassed program records with six rushing touchdowns and 267 yards at Georgia Southern, surpassing Cedric Minter's mark of 261 rushing yards set in 1978. Jeanty averaged 13.4 yards on 20 carries against the Eagles.
"I think this is the best running back I've seen since I've been here," Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said. "He's certainly an NFL guy. He doesn't go down on first contact ever. He's one of the best stiff arm guys that we've gone against. He runs really, really physical and then the next guy they brought in ran for 100 yards too. They hold you accountable. They make you tackle. They're gonna make DBs tackle, they do a really good job of that, and the back is certainly a big piece of their success."
Quarterback Maddux Madsen managed the offense well as Jeanty ran wild. He was 22-for-31 (70.97%) for 280 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception. Boise State tallied 651 yards of offense, with true freshman Sire Gaines rushing for 110 yards and a score on 12 carries.
Gabriel was 41-of-49 (83.67%) for 380 passing yards and two touchdowns in Oregon's 24-14 victory over the Vandals. The Ducks averaged 2.9 yards per carry and were limited to 17 points until less than six minutes remained at Autzen. Idaho came up with big stops on third and fourth down.
Boise State struggled defensively at times in Statesboro, giving up 45 points, 461 yards of total offense and 322 yards through the air. Oregon is nearly a three-touchdown favorite at home against the Broncos, with several experts projecting 40-plus points from the Ducks' offense.
"Defensively started fast, which I'm very proud of our defense starting fast. We haven't started fast going back to last season, but now it's just the consistency we play with we have to grow in," Danielson said Monday. "The thing about playing defense, you can't take points off the board. You can't have a lull in eye control or communication or execution because those are points you can't take off the board. We have to continue to grow. We were way too inconsistent on Saturday."
The Broncos' bout with the Ducks is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT on Peacock. Information on how to watch and listen to the game is included in this article.
Scroll down or use the tabs at the top of this article to find game predictions, stat comparisons, players to watch, streaming and radio information, details on KTVB's pre-game shows and post-game coverage and more.
Game Information Broncos vs. Ducks
Boise State (1-0, 0-0 MW) vs. Oregon (1-0, 0-0 B1G)
- Saturday, Sept. 7
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. MT
- Television: Peacock
- Autzen Stadium - Eugene, Oregon
- Capacity: 54,000
- Weather: High of 88 | Low of 55 | Sunshine with patchy clouds
How to Watch TV, Radio, Streaming
ON TV/STREAMING
Boise State's second game of the 2024 campaign is streaming exclusively on Peacock, the NBC-owned streaming platform. The highly-anticipated Week 2 contest between conference title contenders kicks off at 8 p.m. MT Saturday.
Bronco Nation can sign up for Peacock streaming here. Boise State vs. Oregon is one of three Big Ten games airing Saturday on Peacock. Friday's first-ever NFL game in Brazil between the Eagles and Packers is a Peacock-exclusive matchup.
A Peacock subscription starts at $8 per month, with ad-free subscription upgrade available for $14 per month. Fans can watch Peacock on the devices and platforms listed here.
- Stream: Peacock
- Broadcast crew: Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Michael Robinson (analyst), Laura Britt (sideline)
- When: 8 p.m. MT | 7 p.m. PT Saturday, Sept. 7
- Where: Autzen Stadium - Eugene, Oregon
ON THE RADIO
Fans can listen to the game on the Bronco Radio Network, with Bob Behler calling play-by-play alongside former Boise State offensive lineman Pete Cavender. The Bronco Radio Network is available online and through the 2024 affiliates listed below. Saturday's call can also be heard on SiriusXM Channel 390.
- Boise: KBOI 670 AM
- Boise: KBOI 93.1 FM
- Idaho Falls: KSPZ 980 AM
- Idaho Falls: KSPZ 98.7 FM
- McCall: KDZY 98.3 FM
- Pocatello: KSPZ 94.5 FM
- Salmon: KSRA 960 AM
- St. Maries: KOFE 1240 AM
- Twin Falls: KSNQ 98.3 FM
Bronco Roundup KTVB in Eugene
BRONCO ROUNDUP GAME DAY SHOW
Start your Saturday with KTVB's Jay Tust and Brady Frederick on the official TV station for Bronco Nation! A pair of pre-game shows will provide fans with an in-depth breakdown of Boise State's bout with Oregon live in Eugene.
The first Bronco Roundup Game Day Show starts at 9 a.m. MT Saturday on KTVB Channel 7, KTVB.COM, KTVB+ on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, and the KTVB mobile app.
One hour before the season opener, Tust and Frederick return with an exclusive show inside Autzen Stadium on KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ and the KTVB mobile app. Get an up-close look at Boise State players on the field starting at 7 p.m. MT Saturday.
Both editions of Bronco Roundup will break down matchup storylines, players and trends to watch, Boise State's path to victory and comments from coaches and captains leading up to kickoff. Saturday's show on KTVB's digital platforms includes last-minute injury updates and sideline interviews.
POST-GAME COVERAGE
KTVB will live stream Boise State's press conference immediately following Saturday's game on KTVB.COM, KTVB's YouTube channel, KTVB+ for Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV and the KTVB mobile app.
Bronco Nation can expect to hear from head coach Spencer Danielson and select players. All interviews are posted online following the press conference. Coverage continues Saturday night on KTVB.COM with a game recap, photo gallery, extended highlights, key takeaways and more.
Odds and Predictions Underdogs at Autzen
ESPN's Matchup Predictor, generated using ESPN Analytics, gives Boise State just a 20.2% chance to leave Autzen Stadium with a win and 2-0 record Saturday night. Oregon opened as 19.5-point favorites on ESPN Bet, with an over/under of 61.5.
The Broncos are 20-point underdogs on bet365, Caesars and DraftKings as of Wednesday evening, according to VegasInsider. BetMGM and FanDuel side with ESPN Bet, favoring Oregon by 19.5, while Bally Sports and BetRivers currently have a 19-point spread.
- Ralph D. Russo (Associated Press): Oregon 45, Boise State 24
- Brad Crawford (247Sports): Oregon 49, Boise State 24
- Chris Hummer (247Sports): Oregon 42, Boise State 21
- The Sporting News: Oregon 45, Boise State 27
The Broncos and Ducks both failed to cover the spread last week. Oregon defeated Idaho 24-14 after going into the season opener as 49.5-point favorites, while Boise State outlasted Georgia Southern 56-45 on the road as 13.5-point favorites.
Roughly 51% of people have picked Boise State to cover the 20-point spread on DraftKings as of Wednesday afternoon, while more than 70% are taking the Oregon straight up.
CFP Bracket Watch: Boise State the No. 12 seed using AP Top 25 following Week 1
Team Stats FBS Ranks
Team: Stat Per Game | FBS Rank:
TOTAL OFFENSE
- Boise State: 651.0 YPG | No. 6
- Oregon: 487.0 YPG | No. 43
SCORING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 56.0 PPG | No. 12
- Oregon: 24.0 PPG | No. 89
RUSHING OFFENSE
- Boise State: 371.0 YPG | No. 3
- Oregon: 107.0 YPG | No. 97
PASSING OFFENSE
- Oregon: 380.0 YPG | No. 14
- Boise State: 280.0 YPG | No. 42
PASSING EFFICIENCY
- Oregon: 159.04 | No. 53
- Boise State: 151.03 | No. 64
Scott Slant: To be different, a Sire Gaines leadoff
TOTAL DEFENSE
- Oregon: 217.0 YPG | No. 31
- Boise State: 461.0 YPG | No. 111
SCORING DEFENSE
- Oregon: 14.0 PPG | No. 55
- Boise State: 45.0 PPG | No. 115
RUSHING DEFENSE
- Oregon: 49.0 YPG | No. 19
- Boise State: 139.0 YPG | No. 76
PASSING DEFENSE
- Oregon: 168.0 YPG | No. 61
- Boise State: 322.0 YPG | No. 116
PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE
- Oregon: 90.41 | No. 33
- Boise State: 123.30 | No. 84
Individual Stats Players to Watch
PASSING
- Maddux Madsen: 22-of-31 (70.97%), 280 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Dillon Gabriel: 41-of-49 (83.67%), 380 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
RUSHING
- Ashton Jeanty: 20 carries, 267 yards (13.4 avg.), 6 TDs
- James Jordan: 15 carries, 95 yards (6.3 avg.), 1 TD
RECEIVING
- Cameron Camper: 4 receptions, 99 yards (24.75 avg.), 0 TDs
- Terrance Ferguson: 7 receptions, 87 yards (12.43 avg.), 0 TDs
TACKLES
- Ty Benefield: 9.0 total tackles (6 solo, 3 assisted)
- Bryce Boettcher and Derrick Harmon: 5.0 total tackles
TACKLES FOR LOSS
- Six players: 1.0 TFLs (Banks, Earby, Fely, Ripp, Simpson, Virgin-Morgan)
- Derrick Harmon and Matayo Uiagalelei: 2.0 TFLs
SACKS
- Four players: 1.0 sacks (Fely, Ripp, Simpson, Virgin-Morgan)
- Matayo Uiagalelei: 2.0 sacks (14 yards)
INTERCEPTIONS
- N/A: 0 INTs (Boise State)
- Brandon Johnson and Nikko Reed: 1 INT
