For a few tense moments Saturday, Oregon looked headed for the kind of ugly loss that can shake up the early college football season. The No. 2 Ducks had to fight off Boise State, survived a scare, and finally did enough in the fourth quarter to escape with a seven-point cushion.
That outcome mattered even more because Michigan had just been handed one of the strangest wins of the weekend. The Wolverines beat Western Michigan after officials put one second back on the clock, giving them a chance to finish the game with a Hail Mary. It was the kind of ending that immediately set off debate.
The wild finish drew plenty of attention, including the commentary from Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, and rules analyst Terry McAulay on NBC during the closing sequence.
Dave Portnoy, the Barstool Sports founder and Big Noon Kickoff contributor, was right in the middle of the Michigan conversation. He is one of the program’s most visible supporters in media circles, and he was already reacting in real time as the Wolverines stumbled before the extra second changed everything. Portnoy posted that Michigan had lost before the clock was adjusted back.
“Michigan loses as 4 td favorites. We may not be good after all pic.twitter.com/JTIvYrqcQU
- Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 6, 2026”
Once Michigan came away with the Hail Mary finish, Portnoy shifted into defense mode on social media. On Sunday, he took aim at Oregon while also downplaying Boise State’s performance and comparing the Ducks’ scare to Michigan’s win over Western Michigan.
“You know what is amazing with all this misguided Michigan hate. Oregon who is a trendy national title pick struggled with arguably a worse team in Boise than WMU. But they dont have the Block M so nobody cares
- Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) September 6, 2026”
That argument was not exactly landing with everyone. Boise State had plenty of support in the moment, including from people inside Portnoy’s own orbit.
Big Cat posted, “Boise came to play,” while PFT Commenter added, “This cast is a weapon. Guy might not even have a hand injury he just wanted a club pic.twitter.com/HjOr4IjUUF”
Portnoy’s claim that Boise State was a worse team than Western Michigan also runs against what the Broncos have done under Spencer Danielson. Boise State has won the Mountain West in each of Danielson’s three seasons leading the program, while Lance Taylor has gone 20-19 over the same stretch at Western Michigan.
The larger issue for Michigan is the image problem hanging over the program. Portnoy may want the spotlight moved elsewhere, but the awkward reality is that he helped push Bryce Underwood to Michigan with what was described as the largest NIL deal ever, and the quarterback struggled in the same way he did last season. For a fan base that once expected cleaner, easier Saturdays, the Wolverines are now leaning on anything that can make a rough win look better.
Michigan did get the result. But after the cheating scandal and the Sherrone Moore saga, the program is still trying to talk itself back into elite status while the football keeps telling a messier story.
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Oregon Faces An Early WR Twist Fans Didn't Expect
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Freshman Jalen Lott was also not dressed, which opens the door for other Oregon wideouts to pick up snaps and prove their place in the rotation. For a team trying to establish rhythm early in the year, the absence of two receivers changes the look of the depth chart before the first kickoff is even in the books. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Opens With An Early Jalen Lott Concern Fans Will Watch
Oregons build toward its 2026 season opener against Boise State at Autzen Stadium got a little more complicated before kickoff when freshman wide receiver Jalen Lott and transfer Iverson Hooks were not spotted in pregame warmups. Lotts absence stood out most, given the attention he brought into camp and the fact that he was reportedly dealing with injuries suffered during the preseason stretch.
Because this is a non-conference game, the Ducks do not have to put out an official injury report, so the full picture remains unclear for now. What is clear is that Oregon may need to lean on some of its younger receivers sooner than planned, which adds another layer of intrigue to a first game that was already supposed to offer an early look at the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Got A Title Nod That Raises The Pressure Fast
Before the season even gets into its full grind, Oregon has already found itself in the kind of spotlight that can make a good year feel bigger. During a CBS Sports pregame show, the studio anchor and three college football analysts all said they believe the Ducks are the team to beat for the 2026 national championship, a prediction built around Dante Moore returning at quarterback and Dan Lanning still steering the program.
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 🡒]