BOISE vs. ORE (Ducks -19)
(NCAAF) Broncos (BOISE) vs. Ducks (ORE),
Point Spread: -19.00 | -110.00 Ducks (ORE) (Home)
Result: Loss
I favor the home team in this intriguing non-conference matchup. Anyone remember the time LeGarrette Blount swung at the guy from Boise State?

Anyway, this year's matchup should be intriguing, as the Ducks failed to cover in week one, so the public has bet this number down from 24.5 to 19. I think that's too little respect for an Oregon squad that's talented on both sides of the football, especially against a Boise State team that didn't look like the College Football Playoff contender they were hyped to be last week.

Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel's performance was overlooked because the Ducks only won by 24, but he was an efficient 41-for-49 passing for 380 yards versus Idaho. The Heisman Trophy contender will pick apart a weak Broncos defense tomorrow. Boise allowed Georgia Southern QB JC French to pass for 322 yards and gave up four yards per carry, too (461 total yards allowed). Gabriel has a talented, deep group of receivers (seven receivers caught at least three passes last week) and RB Jordan James had 135 total yards last week.

The Ducks moved the ball a lot, but they didn't execute, as they had a fumble, a missed field goal, and two turnovers on downs. That won't happen twice in two weeks at home, especially against a more respected opponent. If they had finished those drives, the defensive performance would have been more appreciated, as Oregon forced seven punts, plus it had two interceptions and a turnover on downs. It limited the Vandals to 11-for-27 passing for 168 yards and 49 rushing yards on 20 attempts.

The Broncos ran wild last week but they won't have the same success against this Oregon defense. The Ducks ranked in the top three of all major Pac-12 categories in 2023 and return several key pieces; plus they added the number two-ranked transfer portal class. They were stout against the run last year (102.6 yards allowed per game) and added veteran transfer linemen in Derrick Harmon (Michigan State) and Jamaree Caldwell (Houston).

Boise isn't going to run the football effectively enough to keep pace with the Ducks. Bet on the home team to cover the spread.