Game Facts

  • Date: September 7th, 2024 @ 8PM MST
  • Location: Autzen Stadium (Eugene, OR)
  • Weather at kickoff: 80°
  • Moon Phase: Waxing Crescent
  • Odds: Oregon by 20
  • TV: Peacock
  • Radio: 670 KBOI/Here or Stream
  • Commentators: Andrew “Gold Zone” Siciliano (play-by play), Michael “Caught a 7 yard pass for my Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII” Robinson (analyst), and Laura Britt”ish” (sideline)

Other facts

1. Oregon Cheating?

In a frankly embarrassing move, Oregon, despite being 20 point favorites, is planning on playing Saturday’s game on a school-colored field… While I’m not sure why Oregon thinks they need camouflage to win, this is blatant cheating and deserves some kind of punishment, or least some kind of jersey ban.

Ever the optimist, it’s no problem for Spencer Danielson. Word is, he has our guys practicing on a blue (yes, you heard right) field. Impressive class and ingenuity in the face of heinous cheating.

2. Yes, he is

I don’t know what words I can add that haven’t already been said. Ashton Jeanty has caught the nation’s attention, and it’s a beautiful thing. He’s just that good.

3. Facts

Thanks to the good folks at collegefootballinsiders.com, I’m spared from exercising my own fingers on an advanced stats preview. I’ll be breaking down these stats more in the coming weeks, but it’s notable that Oregon ranks highly in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

The model is considerably less optimistic than some (Predicts a 40-16 Oregon win), although it’s not fully tuned to 2024 play.

4. THREADZ
5. Lest we forget

Oregon has never beaten Boise State. Maybe more important than any playoff considerations or national recognition is that an O-4 graphic would be pretty sweet.

6. 33 Game Streak

Oregon boasts the longest nonconference home winning streak in the country, sitting at 33 games. Their last loss? All the way back in 2008, when the Broncos of Boise State came to town.

In that game, the Broncos were lead by a young, undersized QB—a coaches kid—starting in his first first big-time road game. Fans were cautiously optimistic about the QB, with the caveat that he might not have even started had the second guy had a bit more time.

They also boasted a star RB, who was already well known by media, playing in his last season as BSU back. The game wasn’t on traditional national TV, and actually aired on a space affiliated with NBC.

The Broncos were coming off a pretty mediocre showing the week before, managing a fairly close, albeit double-digit victory over a middling G5 team. To fans, it was clear that one side of the ball could compete, but the other side would need to show something much stronger if they wanted a chance to pull the upset.

The general feeling by fans was that the Broncos were playing to not get embarrassed as Oregon was highly ranked, and the Broncos had not won a P5 road game in quite some time…

Do the 2024 Broncos have anything in common with them? It’s hard to say.

7. Oh, we’re back

Let’s do it again, shall we?

Streaks

Boise State – Won 1

Oregon – Won 2

Best Name On Their Roster

Ify Obidegwu, Freshman, DB

It’s always a question with ify. If not this, then that.

Best Picture On Their Roster

Holden Whipple, Junior, OL

Mullet AND the stache?? It’s too easy.

Players To Watch

Dillon Gabriel, QB

I mean, we’ve seen the kid before. He’s a Heisman candidate. He’s incredibly efficient and he’s got wheels. If he’s not a problem I’ve got GREAT news for how this final score is gonna look. Wouldn’t mind if he threw two picks again this time around.

Tez Johnson, WR

Tez is the favorite target of an Oregon attack that passes plenty. Last week, he became the the only player in UO history with four games of 11-plus receptions after snagging 12 targets. No matter how the cookie crumbles, he’ll get some catches, but we gotta keep him in front of us.

Jeffrey Bassa, LB

There’s no doubt that discourse surrounding Ashton Jeanty has not been lost on the Oregon MLB. He finished 2024 second on the team in tackles, and has the unenviable task of tackling the wrecking ball himself.

Keys to Victory

…some pass defense?

I’m not gonna be greedy here, but last week won’t cut it. Very wishful thinking tells me that Georgia Southern was a top passing offense a year ago and we would’ve been better without some penalties and and we’re just making excuses.

If we can’t stop the pass, we have to stop big plays, and get off the field on 3rd down. Anything less will probably prove that advanced stats preview right.

Special Teams and Special Plays

For all we heard and felt about Stacey Collins’ return, our return game generated 0 positive yardage and gave up a kickoff return that set up Georgia Southern’s first TD. We will not win without the special teams edge. More than returns and return coverage, we’re also gonna need some dimes from our punta’ down ‘unda.

Mad Dog

This is a big game for the kid. Ashton Jeanty will get his, but the offensive difference will be Maddux Madsen. He’ll likely need a great (and turnover free) game to give the Broncos a shot. He has his ups and downs but we know he’s always up for a challenge. Let’s see how far that takes him.

Score Prediction

We’ve never picked against the Broncos and don’t plan on starting today. Maddux Madsen will lead a late drive to put us in FG range, and Jonah will punch in his first-ever game winner to stamp the win.

Boise State 41, Oregon 38

Author