There was an upset alert flashing with bright red lights in Eugene on Saturday, as No. 2 Oregon trailed Boise State, 17-14, at what had to be a shocked Autzen Stadium.
Oregon has never won a national title, although the Ducks have come close several times, including last year. This year, with Dante Moore returning at quarterback and a stocked roster to go with him, was destined to finally be the year.
But 30 minutes into its first game as 1 of the favorites to win it all (finally), Oregon was having rough sledding, trailing on its home field with only 14 points to show for itself. Now, with still 1 half to play, there was a lot that could happen, and by the end of Saturday’s game Oregon might well have put the season-opening jitters to bed.
For now, though, there was a lot of nervousness permeating around Eugene, with the Ducks held to 9 first downs and 213 total yards in the first half. Four penalties totaling 30 yards didn’t help Oregon’s cause, either, as Oregon found itself in a rare hole at halftime on its home field.
The score could’ve been worse for Oregon, too, as the Ducks trailed, 17-7, late in the first half until Moore hit Jamari Johnson with a 27-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left.
So, the 17-14 deficit actually doesn’t look nearly as problematic as it did. Perhaps Oregon is in store for a big second half, and all those worries will be long forgotten by game’s end. But at halftime, there was a definite upset alert in Eugne, and it was up to 1 of the favorites to win it all to do something about it.
Oregon was picked by many to finally win its first ever national championship in 2026. Amid the Ducks’ Week 1 struggles in the first half, here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about Oregon’s chances to put aside the early cobwebs and win that elusive national title:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
