Importance of Oregon vs. Boise State in Group of Five College Football Playoff race

With 12 teams set to make the College Football Playoff this season — including one from the Group of 5 — the stakes will be raised in countless games across the country. And you can count a Week 2 showdown between Boise State and Oregon among them.

While the Ducks could likely lose one or even two games and still make the CFP out of a crowded and deep Big Ten, Boise State doesn’t have such margins. On3’s Andy Staples and Kaiden Smith considered just how meaningful that Week 2 contest could be for Boise State, especially if the Broncos pull off a seismic upset.

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“And that one could be a lot of fun,” Staples said. “Because we’re looking at Oregon as a potential national title contender, potential Big Ten title contender. But what if Boise State could beat them? That would be massive. Because I think you look at Oregon and you’re going, ‘OK, even if Boise State does beat them, they’re still probably going to make some noise in the Big Ten’ and that’s what one of these teams needs, is to beat somebody who will then be really good in a power league.”

Boise State, besides playing Oregon, has a generally light slate against mostly conference opponents out of the Mountain West. The likely biggest test from that group will be UNLV, as the Broncos dodged playing Fresno State. But the Broncos will also face Washington State and Oregon State in what should be decent tests.

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And while upsetting Oregon would certainly be a feat, Smith sees the talent necessary on the Boise State roster.

“Yeah, it’ll be a good game to watch and I think quarterback competition and how that one unfolded was a very interesting part of what Boise State’s season is going to look like heading into that matchup,” Smith said. “You know Malachi Nelson, the former five star, makes his way to Boise State but then loses that starting spot to Maddux Madsen who couldn’t even compete in this competition in the spring, he had a season-ending injury that ended things for him last year. But I think it’s kind of a good sign. I think this team has good offensive continuity. You mentioned Ashton Jeanty coming back. One of the most versatile players in the entire country if not the most versatile player in the country after being the second-leading wide receiver.”

Smith continued, pointing out that the chance to play against top-level competition like Oregon will be one of the best chances for Boise State players with NFL potential to shine in front of scouts, Jeanty included.

And given that the matchup is early in the year, Oregon has a bit more margin for error, and the need for Boise State to notch a major win has Smith and Staples ready to consider the upset possibilities as the Broncos angle to make the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024.

“You’re going to want to play your best football when you’re going up against the best,” Smith said. “Early in the season is when you want to get these matchups. I love this spot, earlier in the season, Oregon might still be figuring out some things on their own and I think, you look at the conference schedule for Boise State, there’s a couple challenges there but I think they can get through that pretty easily. A close win, a close loss to Oregon would be huge, considering what the big picture season’s going to look like for Oregon this year with their college football playoff and national championship hopes alive.