Ducks Gameday Lookout: Oregon begins 2026 with Boise State

The Peach Bowl? What Peach Bowl? 

Last season is behind us, 2026 is here and the Oregon Ducks are ready for another climb back up the mountain. 

Oregon enters the season ranked No. 2 in both major polls, the highest preseason ranking in program history, with Dante Moore back at quarterback, one of the best defensive fronts in the country and another shot at finally breaking through in January.

First up: Boise State.

The Broncos nearly spoiled Oregon’s party the last time they visited Autzen Stadium, pushing the Ducks to the final seconds of a 37-34 Oregon win in 2024. Boise State is back after winning its third straight Mountain West championship and now begins a new era as a member of the rebuilt Pac-12.

Here’s what you need to know as you go about your gameday morning — and come back after kickoff for live updates. 

Afterward, we’ll have postgame coverage from writer Lindsay Schnell, followed by Tyson Alger’s Sunday Duck Report. 

How to watch or listen

When: Sept. 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Autzen Stadium
TV channel: CBS
Radio: KUJZ 95.3 in Eugene and 105.1 The Fan in Portland

Who’s playing?

Opponent: Boise State (9-5 in 2025, Mountain West champions)

Depth charts/rosters: Oregon roster; Boise State roster. Neither team released a Week 1 depth chart.

Boise State player to watch: Edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan

Boise State’s best chance at making Oregon uncomfortable may come off the edge.

Virgin-Morgan, a 6-foot-3, 257-pound fifth-year senior, has started every game for Boise State over the last two seasons and enters 2026 with 31 career tackles for loss and 16 sacks. He led the Broncos with 13 tackles for loss and six sacks last season after posting 10 sacks in 2024.

If an Oregon offensive line replacing both of its tackles isn’t up to speed right away, Boise State’s edge group might be the one place on the field where the Broncos can create an edge.

“One big thing for us,” Virgin-Morgan said, “is just violence.” 

Oregon player to watch: Running back Dierre Hill Jr.

We already know Dierre Hill Jr. can run.

As a true freshman, Hill carried the ball just 75 times but turned those opportunities into 656 yards and five touchdowns. His 8.75 yards per carry led the Big Ten and ranked second nationally, and eight of his runs went for at least 20 yards.

The running part isn’t in question. Hill’s challenge was everything else.

Hill and Jordon Davison give Oregon one of the most explosive young backfields in the country, but Hill spent much of the offseason focusing on the less glamorous part of the job: pass protection. If he becomes a more complete back, it should make it even easier for Oregon to keep one of its most dangerous offensive weapons on the field.

“A lot of people were wondering if I could do it, if I could be there for my team in that aspect this year,” Hill said. “I have dialed in on the process.”

Reads to get ready for the game

In case you missed any of this earlier coverage:

• On the road, in search of Dan Lanning — for 820 miles
• 10 things we know about Oregon as Ducks embark on 2026
• Oregon is No. 2 in the preseason AP poll. Here’s what makes these Ducks different

Learn more about Boise State

• The Idaho Statesman’s Shaun Goodwin takes a look at quarterback Maddux Madsen and the pressure on the veteran to finally deliver against a Power Four opponent.
  
• Bob Lundeberg also breaks down three matchups that could decide Saturday’s game, including Boise State’s rebuilt offensive line against Oregon’s loaded defensive front.

Watch The Inside Look

Ken Woody and I are back for another season of The Inside Look. We dive into Oregon’s roster, the expectations surrounding the No. 2 Ducks and what to watch for against Boise State.

Listen to The Traffic Report

Justin Myers and I close the book on fall camp and preview what’s ahead for Oregon in 2026, including the baggage that comes with Boise State and which games on the schedule should actually make Oregon fans nervous.

Follow along during the game for live updates.