Boise State coach details mindset ahead of opener vs. Oregon Ducks

There are just under two months until the Oregon Ducks' football season kicks off, and Dan Lanning's team is starting to get prepared for what is expected to be another exciting run toward the College Football Playoff. The first challenge on the schedule is a big one, with the Boise State Broncos coming to town, giving Oregon one of the best Group of 6 teams in the nation as an opener.

While the Ducks will undoubtedly be big favorites to win the game, it's not going to be as easy as playing a team like Montana State or Portland State — all due respect — to open the year and knock the rust off. Boise State is widely expected to be one of the top G6 teams in the nation, with a good shot at making it to the CFP.

If the Broncos are going to get into the postseason, a win over Oregon, or even a competitive game, would be a huge thing to have on the resume. They know that they may be underdogs, but that's not the mentality that head coach Spencer Danielson has going into the game.

 "I think you’re always going to have one of those games that is outside your weight class, but you know what, you don’t have to beat them 10 times; you have to find a way to beat them once, right?" Danielson said, via On3. "You need those on your schedule, playing them again. We played them back in 2024, played them tough. The amount of success they’ve had since then, and the team they got coming back, obviously we know the test at hand, but I do love playing those games. Now, there’s a challenge to it, especially being game one.”

Back in 2024, Dillon Gabriel's first year with the team, the Broncos put up quite a fight, and the Ducks needed a late score to escape with a 37-34 victory. They went on to make the CFP as the No. 1 overall seed, while the Broncos earned the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye, which was given to the top-ranked G6 team.

Though the seeding rules have changed, we could see both teams back in the playoffs again this year. That first week of the season is going to be a good test case for all to see.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Boise State coach details mindset ahead of opener vs. Oregon Ducks