Oregon’s opener against Boise State had the kind of first half that can make a favorite feel a lot less comfortable than the spread suggested. The Ducks came in as massive favorites, but the Broncos have been trouble for Oregon before, and that tension showed up early.
By halftime, Oregon was in a hole. The Ducks headed to the locker room down by a field goal after a rough opening 30 minutes that featured penalties, a blown coverage, and two failed fourth-down tries. It was the kind of sloppy stretch that touched every part of the operation.
Dan Lanning’s sideline mood seemed to match the fan base’s frustration. During halftime, Jenny Dell had to trim a few words from her conversation with the Oregon coach, who summed up the first half by saying, "Well guys that was an experience."
That reaction fit the moment. Fans in the stadium were probably shaking their heads, and the ones at home likely had the TV volume up for all the wrong reasons. Oregon had energy, but the Ducks kept sabotaging themselves and never gave that energy a chance to turn into control.
The encouraging part for Oregon came right after the break. Whatever Lanning delivered in the locker room seemed to land, because the Ducks opened the second half with a quick strike to tie the game, then watched the defense force a Boise State punt on the next possession.
Oregon’s talent edge is obvious. The question in this one was never that. It was whether the Ducks could clean up the self-inflicted mistakes, and if they do that, the game can turn in a hurry.
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For Oregon, the attention is flattering, but it also comes with the familiar weight of expectation. The Ducks have been to the national title game before, in 2010 and 2014, and the next step is the one that has eluded them. Being talked about as a future champion is one thing, but living up to a forecast like this starts long before January. [Read more 🡒]