Boise State enters Saturday night in unfamiliar territory, traveling to No. 7 Oregon as heavy underdogs.
The Broncos will trot out on the Autzen Stadium turf in Eugene with the home team as a 19-point favorite. The last time the Broncos entered the game with the odds against them that much was in 2001 at South Carolina. Boise State, also a 19-point dog in that game, lost 32-13, making the oddsmakers look quite smart.
The Broncos will be without starting junior center Mason Randolph, who’s out with an upper-body injury. Redshirt junior Zach Holmes is expected to start in his place, Boise State officials told the Idaho Statesman.
Randolph’s injury will raise some questions about the Broncos’ offensive line, which was arguably the primary reason Boise State put 56 points on the board against Georgia Southern in the season opener. The line cleared out huge holes for running back Ashton Jeanty, who had a record-setting rushing day.
After the 56-45 win last week, Boise State received enough votes in the AP Top 25 poll to be in the 28th position. An upset win over No. 7 Oregon would undoubtedly result in the Broncos vaulting into the national rankings.
The temperature in Eugene will be in the mid-80s around kickoff, but it will quickly drop to the mid-70s during the game.