Boise State coach Spencer Danielson didn’t exactly tiptoe into Oregon’s orbit this week.
In an interview with Pete Nakos of On3/Rivals released July 7, Danielson took a blunt approach when talking about the Broncos’ Sept. 5 trip to Autzen Stadium, where Boise State will open the season against the Ducks.
“I think you’re always going to have one of those games that is outside your weight class, but you know what, you don’t have to beat them 10 times; you have to find a way to beat them once, right? You need those on your schedule, playing them again. We played them back in 2024, played them tough,” Danielson said to Nakos.
That was enough to get Oregon fans talking, especially with Dan Lanning’s team set to face a Boise State program that has already shown it can hang around in big games.
Danielson is the only Broncos coach in school history to lose to Oregon. Before him, Chris Petersen and Bryan Harsin went a combined 3-0 against the Ducks. Oregon finally got its first win over Boise State on a last-second field goal.
The Broncos team Danielson referenced in that interview finished in the 12-team College Football Playoff. Boise State’s two losses that season came against Big Ten opponents: Oregon in the regular season and Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, which also marked the final game for running back Ashton Jeanty.
Now the question is what version of Boise State shows up in Eugene. Oregon will be expecting a group that looks a lot like the 2024 team, especially with Danielson leaning on that disappointment from 2025 as motivation.
Still, the matchup gives Boise State a brutal first test. Oregon brings one of the nation’s most loaded defenses into the opener, and the Broncos appear to be walking into a problem on both edges and inside.
The Ducks can line up Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti at the ends, and both have shown they can win consistently in single-block situations. In the middle, Boise State will also have to deal with defensive tackles Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington, while inside linebacker Jerry Mixon adds another layer as a blitz threat.
Danielson is only bringing back the right side of his offensive line for this game, which sets up a tough night on the blindside. That gives Lanning plenty of room to attack with blitzes and line twists from the left side, forcing Boise State’s new starters to handle pressure quickly and cleanly.
A lot will depend on Maddux Madsen. If the returning quarterback can get the ball out fast and keep Boise State on schedule early, the Broncos have a shot to settle in. If not, Danielson’s comments could end up aging badly in a hurry.
Oregon opens the regular season against Boise State on Sept. 5 in Autzen Stadium.