Oregon’s rematch with Boise State carries a different kind of pressure this time around. The Ducks already snapped the Broncos’ grip in 2024 by beating Boise State for the first time ever and ending a three-game skid in the series. Now the Broncos arrive in 2026 looking for revenge, with a chance to make an early statement as a new Pac-12 representative.
That setup makes the trenches a natural place to start. Oregon got a boost from coach Dan Lanning on Aug. 31, when he said left guard Dave Iuli had been practicing in recent days and should be good to go after missing late August work because of injury.
That matters for a line that wants him on the field. The 6-3, 335-pound redshirt junior brings a physical edge in the run game, but he also matters in pass protection - he didn’t allow a sack of quarterback Dante Moore last season.
Boise State, meanwhile, is likely bringing two new starters into the interior of its defensive front.
Oregon may also be ready to sprinkle in some new faces on offense and defense right away. Lanning trusted Dakorien Moore in last year’s opener against Montana State, and five-star receiver Jalen Lott looks like the next freshman who could get an early crack.
He’s part of a deep wide receiver room, but the Ducks may still find ways to use his speed. Another newcomer to watch is five-star safety Jett Washington, who flashed during August practice with a viral clip that showed off his hops and hands.
The Ducks probably won’t roll out a huge wave of true freshmen the way USC did against San José State, but Lanning could still use several members of the 2026 class in specific packages or as a spark if needed. Four-star addition Davon Benjamin is another name to keep in mind. He’s working in the versatile STAR role as the fifth defensive back, and Oregon can lean on his closing speed and flexibility.
Boise State no longer has Ashton Jeanty, but the Broncos still plan to make life difficult on the ground. Junior running back Dylan Riley is back, and sophomore Sire Gaines gives Boise State another serious option. Together, Riley and Gaines combined for 1,977 yards last season.
How Boise State attacks up front will be worth watching too. Coach Spencer Danielson, along with co-offensive coordinators Nate Pottet and Zak Hill, are likely to lean on the right side of the line, where there’s more returning experience than on the blindside. That means right guard Roger Carreron and right tackle Daylon Metoyer could see plenty of Oregon pressure, with defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington and edge rusher Teitum Tuioti waiting for them.
The last meeting came down to the final moments, and this one could have that same feel. Oregon has the deeper group of playmakers, but the bigger question is which defensive front can hold up and control the game for four quarters.
In Other News...
Oregon Fans May Not Love Whats Coming To Autzen This Season
The familiar green turf at Autzen Stadium is about to get a new look this fall, as Oregon athletics has struck a four-year partnership with investment firm Edward Jones. The deal brings the companys logo onto the 25-yard lines and extends beyond football, with Edward Jones also set to sponsor multiple Ducks sports programs while backing financial literacy programming tied to the department.
For Oregon fans, the change is another reminder of how sponsorship is reshaping the college sports landscape, even in one of the sports most recognizable venues. The partnership also reaches into the future, with Edward Jones attached as the title sponsor of Oregon footballs 2026 season opener and involved in a slate of in-game promotional activities, meaning this is likely to be a visible part of the game-day experience for a while. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Could Catch Oregon At A Very Different Strength Than Expected
Oregons preseason picture has already been shaped by a few nagging injury situations, and the Ducks are still sorting out who will be fully ready by the time the 2026 opener arrives. Receiver Dillon Gresham does not have a clear return timetable after a neck injury, linebacker Brayden Platt is expected to be limited for a while after a spring injury, and the good news so far is that offensive lineman Dave Iuli has been practicing and is on track to be available when the season begins.
There is also a broader reset happening on both sides of the ball, with receiver Evan Stewart and safety Trey McNutt working their way back from injuries suffered in 2025. For Oregon, the concern is less about one isolated absence than how all of these health questions could affect the Ducks early-season identity, especially if Boise State sees a version of this team that leans more heavily on depth and recovery than anyone expected a few months ago. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Has A Huge Chance To Flip The Script With 5-Star WR
Braylon Clarks recruiting calendar is starting to take shape, and Oregon is right in the middle of it. The five-star wide receiver has lined up seven visits to six schools during the offseason, with the Ducks getting an especially meaningful date on November 14 when Michigan comes to Eugene. For Oregon, that trip matters because it puts Clark in the building for one of the programs biggest home stages, a chance to sell him on the atmosphere, the passing game and what life looks like on the West Coast.
Ohio State may have the early edge in Clarks recruitment, but Oregon has positioned itself as a serious contender rather than a courtesy stop. Clark is also scheduled to see the Buckeyes twice, including when they host Oregon on November 7, which gives him a direct side-by-side look at two of the sports biggest brands. The Ducks still have plenty of ground to make up, but with a five-star target taking multiple swings at both programs, this one is far from settled. [Read more 🡒]