Boise State walks into one of the toughest openers in the country Saturday, taking on No. 2 Oregon at Autzen Stadium with kickoff set for 1:30 and the game airing live on CBS2.
The Broncos are bringing an experienced roster into a matchup that will say plenty about where they stand against a Ducks team carrying national championship expectations. Oregon has the kind of firepower that can stress a defense from every angle, starting with veteran quarterback Dante Moore, a deep receiver group and an offensive line built to push people around.
For Boise State defensive coordinator Erik Chinander, the assignment starts with keeping Moore from turning the game into a highlight reel.
“He can really make some explosive plays when he gets out and gets loose. He can throw the ball, or he can tuck and run it--so we’ve got to do a great job of pocket leverage whether it’s a pocket situation or a four-man rush,” Chinander said.
CBS College Football Analyst Charles Davis, who was on the call for Boise State’s 2007 Fiesta Bowl win, is back as lead analyst for this one. His read on the matchup is simple: if Oregon starts winning at the line of scrimmage, the Ducks can make the afternoon miserable.
“If they sense that they can dominate the line of scrimmage, they’ll just keep going there and that's where I think it’ll be interesting to see the rotation of players in there for Boise, how many can hold in there, keep Oregon out of these short yardage second and twos, third and ones, things of that nature so you’re not just taking a pounding throughout the game,” Davis said.
On the other side of the ball, Boise State wants quarterback Maddux Madsen playing with more freedom. Offensive coordinator Nate Potter said that means trusting Madsen to use his legs and create when the first option isn’t there.
“This is the year you need to be the best player on the field, and you need to be able to make it happen if it’s not there. And so, if it involves using your legs, extending plays, making something happen, then that’s what he’s got to do. But I think he has that freedom to go out and play and use every bit of his talent and what he has,” Potter said.
Davis sees that approach showing up already. He also pointed to the value of Madsen’s experience in a season opener this big, on the road, against a top-ranked opponent.
“Yeah, I mean, when you’re going to take on the number two team in the country and their place and it’s a season opener, it sure helps to have someone with experience under center and you have about a three year starter, Maddux Madsen, who’s been there and remember two years ago, as you well remember, a three point game in Eugene, Oregon, where you are going to kick and walk off the old goal to win it. He was a sophomore. Now he’s a senior,” Davis said.
Oregon comes into the season with its own burden: No. 2 in the country and expected to prove it. Davis said the Ducks will be eager to make that ranking look deserved.
“They’re going to want to justify being number two in the country. They’re gonna want to show the country and put everybody on notice and say, ‘hey, we believe we have unfinished business’,” Davis said.
Even with the challenge, Davis said Boise State’s identity is built for moments like this.
“The beauty of it all is the culture of Boise State allows them to walk into any stadium in the country and be confident that they can play and beat anyone,” he said.
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