Boise State won’t have the upper hand across the board when it walks into Saturday’s Week 1 showdown at No. 2 Oregon, but there is a spot where the Broncos can make life uncomfortable for the Ducks.
That edge comes up front, where Boise State’s pass rush looks capable of challenging an Oregon offensive line still sorting out its tackle situation. The Ducks did not release a Week 1 depth chart, but they are expected to open with redshirt sophomore Fox Crader at left tackle and either fourth-year senior Gernorris Wilson or sophomore Ziyare Addison at right tackle. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning also said the Ducks are likely to rotate several linemen in the game.
“Do we have some guys we feel comfortable going into the game with? Yes.
Are there still multiple guys playing above-the-line ball at multiple spots? Yes.
Will you see one group? No.
I think you’ll probably see some different guys in the lineup throughout, and that’s because they’ve earned that and worked through it,” Lanning said during Monday’s press conference.
That setup gives Boise State a real opening with two of the best edge players outside the Power Four conferences leading the charge: fifth-year senior Jayden Virgin-Morgan and fourth-year senior Max Stege.
Virgin-Morgan, a 6-foot-3, 257-pound preseason All-America pick by Athlon Sports, has been a fixture for the Broncos. He has started all 14 games in each of the last two seasons, piled up 56 total tackles as a junior and led Boise State in tackles for loss with 13 and sacks with six.
Entering his final college season, he has 120 total tackles, including 31 for loss, along with 16 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups. ESPN ranked him No. 61 overall in the country.
Stege, at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, also started 14 games last season and finished with 27 total tackles, seven for loss, and a half sack. He drew attention throughout the offseason and looks set for a bigger role this year.
Boise State may also get help from Roman Caywood, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound redshirt sophomore who made an impression in spring practice. Caywood redshirted in 2024 and appeared in 13 games as a reserve last season.
Another name in the mix is Alberta, Canada native Bol Bol, who flashed real promise as a true freshman last fall. The 6-foot-4, 248-pound edge player brings athleticism and burst that could earn him snaps in the rotation.
The challenge is steep. Oregon landed a nation-leading eight players in ESPN’s top 100 for the 2026 college football season, and FOX Sports’ Rob Rang recently projected four Ducks in the first round of his 2027 NFL mock draft: quarterback Dante Moore at No. 2 overall, defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington at No. 10, tight end Jamari Johnson at No. 20 and edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei at No. 30.
Still, Boise State’s best path in this matchup is clear: Virgin-Morgan, Stege and the rest of the edge group have to go after Oregon’s new tackles and force Moore and the Ducks’ passing game to feel the heat.
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