Dan Lanning didn’t spend much time entertaining the idea that Boise State’s Spencer Danielson was exaggerating when he called Oregon the best team in the country.
With Week 1 here and fall camp wrapped up, the Ducks are turning their attention to the Broncos in a matchup that opens the new-look Pac-12 Conference slate. Danielson, who took over midway through the 2023 season, made his case plainly on Monday.
“Obviously, we're playing arguably the best team in the country,” Danielson stated on Monday. “I know they're ranked No.
- I'm not smart enough to know how everybody ranks those things, but when I look at their roster and how they've developed their team, I think they're the best team in the country.”
When Lanning was asked about that remark during his own press conference on Monday, the Oregon coach answered bluntly.
Danielson did not stop there, either. He made it clear the respect he has for what Lanning has built in Eugene.
“Hats off to Dan Lanning,” Danielson continued. “I don't know him super well, but I have a ton of respect for him.
We've talked a couple of times. I have a ton of respect for him as a head coach, as a defensive coach, and just what he's been able to do at Oregon over his time there.
It's very, very impressive how they've been able to win at a high level consistently.”
The Ducks are carrying big expectations into the season. Per FanDuel, Oregon is the No. 2 pick to win the Big Ten at +260, behind Ohio State at +185. In the College Football Playoff market, the Ducks sit fourth at +750, with the Buckeyes again on top at +550.
Boise State is preparing for a defense that knows it has its hands full. Oregon’s offense last season, led by redshirt junior quarterback Dante Moore, finished No. 16 nationally in total offense at 452.2 yards per game and tied for No. 10 in scoring at 36.9 points per game.
Danielson was direct about the challenge.
“You’re always going to have one of those games that is outside your weight class," Danielson said about the Ducks. "But you know what, you don’t have to beat them 10 times; you have to find a way to beat them once, right?”
He also pointed to the way Oregon can lean on the run game, not just the passing attack.
“They’ve got a great offensive front. They will establish a run game," he continued.
"I think when people look at Oregon, they think Dante Moore and all the skill at receiver. But don’t get it twisted.
They will run the football, and they will do it at a very, very high level.”
Neither school will release its depth chart publicly.
FanDuel lists Oregon as a 24.5-point favorite for the Week 1 matchup. The Ducks are -4000 on the moneyline, while Boise State sits at +1500. The over/under is 51.5.
The teams last met in 2024, when Oregon edged Boise State 37-34 at Autzen Stadium on Sept. 7. Boise State leads the all-time series 3-1, dating back to 2008.
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