Boise State showed last week why so many people believe it has a shot at making the College Football Playoff.
The Broncos (1-0) racked up 651 yards of offense, highlighted by 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns from Heisman Trophy contender Ashton Jeanty, in a 56-45 win at Georgia Southern in a matchup between Group of Five teams.
They’ll face an entirely different animal Saturday when they travel to Autzen Stadium to take on No. 7 Oregon at 10 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Boise State has never shied away from facing the best of the best. Teams like Oklahoma, Auburn, and Georgia can attest to that, but this Oregon team is one of the most talented squads the Broncos have ever faced. It’s right up there with Washington, which rolled the Broncos last season with top-10 pick Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback and NFL Draft selections all over the roster.
Oregon had seven players drafted this year, and as many could hear their names called next April, led by wide receiver Evan Stewart. The Ducks (1-0) have a sixth-year senior at quarterback in Dillon Gabriel and one of the best defenses in the country. They’re also going to be hungry to show last week’s close call against Idaho was a fluke.
Boise State Betting Line
Oregon is a 20-point college football betting favorite and the Over/Under is 61.5 points. The Ducks are 19-1 against the spread in their past 20 games as a favorite at home. The Broncos are 6-14 ATS in their past 20 games as an underdog on the road, but they’re also 3-0 all-time against Oregon.
Boise State Prediction
I predict Oregon beats Boise State 56-28.
Jeanty will once again put up eye-popping numbers that prove he’s a legitimate Heisman contender, but Boise State’s defense won’t be able to slow down an Oregon offense that’s hungry to prove it’s one of the best in the nation. I expect the Ducks to pull away after halftime.
Mountain West Picks
Georgia Southern At Nevada
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET, TruTV/Max
Betting line: Georgia Southern is a 1.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 59 points. The Eagles are 15-5 against the spread in their past 20 games as a favorite on the road. Nevada is 8-12 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog at home.
Prediction: Georgia Southern wins 28-21.
Georgia Southern (0-1) showed off its potent offense last week by putting up 461 yards and 45 points in a loss to Boise State, which is No. 2 in this week’s HERO Sports G5 poll. The Eagles’ offense will roll again behind quarterback JC French, who posted 361 yards and three touchdowns last week. But I’m taking the Under in a matchup against what has proven to be a scrappy squad from Nevada (1-1).
San Jose State At Air Force
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: Air Force (1-0) is a 5.5-point favorite and the Over/Under is 45.5 points. The Falcons are 16-4 against the spread in their past 20 games as a favorite at home. San Jose State is 4-16 ATS in its past 20 games as an underdog on the road.
Prediction: Air Force wins 17-10.
San Jose State (1-0) has enough firepower on offense and experience on defense to keep it close, but Air Force’s triple option will prove to be too much. Dylan Carson and Owen Allen will do enough on the ground to give the Falcons the win, but I’m taking the Under.
Oregon State At San Diego State
How to watch: 10:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
Betting line: Oregon State (1-0) is a 5.5-point favorite and the Over/Under is 55.5 points.
Prediction: Oregon State wins 31-14.
San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper joined the Aztecs this year with more than 3,000 career rushing yards to his credit. He added to that last week with 223 yards and two touchdowns against Texas A&M-Commerce, but he won’t be the only star runner on the field this week. Oregon State’s Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson combined for 315 yards and four touchdowns on the ground last week against Idaho State. I think they’ll lead the Beavers past the Aztecs (1-0) and help them cover the spread.
Utah State At USC
How to watch: 11 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network
Betting line: USC is a 28.5-point favorite and the Over/Under is 63.5 points.
Prediction: USC wins 45-24.
Utah State (1-0) has some playmakers in the passing game, including Jalen Royals, who is one of the best receivers in the Mountain West, and Utah transfer Kyrese White, who racked up 131 yards and two touchdowns on just three catches against Robert Morris last week. What the Aggies don’t have is anyone on defense that can slow down USC quarterback Miller Moss and the Trojans’ offense. I think USC (1-0) wins convincingly, but I’m not sure it covers the spread.
Utah Tech At UNLV
How to watch: 3 p.m. ET, Mountain West Network
Prediction: UNLV wins 52-3.
UNLV (1-0) is coming off a momentum-generating upset of Houston and I believe it will cruise to a lopsided win in its home opener while giving its starters some rest in the second half in preparation for next week’s road game at Kansas. Quarterback Matthew Sluka will show why he was a two-time Walter Payton Award finalist at Holy Cross.
Idaho At Wyoming
How to watch: 3:30 p.m. ET, TruTV/Max
Prediction: Wyoming wins 21-14.
Wyoming is hungry to prove it’s not as bad as last weekend’s 48-7 loss to Arizona State suggested. The Cowboys (0-1) are missing running back Harrison Waylee, who suffered a knee injury in fall camp, but their veteran-laden defense should give Idaho fits.
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Northern Colorado At Colorado State
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET, Mountain West Network
Prediction: Colorado State wins 38-10.
Colorado State quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and his talented group of receivers, led by Tory Horton, should help the Rams (0-1) rebound from an ugly loss to Texas. Expect another big day from running back Justin Marshall, who posted 106 yards against the Longhorns.
Sacramento State At Fresno State
How to watch: 10 p.m. ET, Mountain West Network
Prediction: Fresno State wins 48-13.
Fresno State (0-1) trailed defending national champion Michigan by just six points late in the fourth quarter before the Wolverines pulled away for a 30-10 win last week. Quarterback Mikey Keene should continue to show why he’s one of the best in the Mountain West, and running back Malik Sherrod should break free after he was held in check last week.
