Ducks Wire staff predicts Oregon Ducks vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys

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The Oregon Ducks came out and got a season-opening win over the Boise State Broncos last weekend, but there's some consternation amongst the fan base and national media, as they didn't look quite as dialed in as anticipated in a 34-27 victory.

Fortunately, they get another chance to get back on the horse this weekend against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, going on the road for the first time this season. There are a couple of major milestones up for grabs, with the Ducks working to continue the nation's longest road winning streak — currently at 12 games — while Dan Lanning works to pick up his 50th career win at Oregon, which would make him just the fourth coach in Oregon history to do so.

It could be a tough test against the Cowboys, who bring in an entirely new coaching staff and roster this year under head coach Eric Morris and quarterback Drew Mestemaker. Oklahoma State was an offseason darling in the media world, but after a Week 1 loss to Tulsa, there are questions about how quickly they will be able to turn things around in Stillwater.

To preview the game, we go through our weekly roundtable with the writers from Ducks Wire to offer our opinions and predictions for what's to come. Here’s our first roundtable of the year.

Week 1 Positives

Question: Oregon didn’t play as well as we expected on Saturday against Boise State. Rather than focusing on the negatives, let’s start on the other side. What’s one thing you saw last week — other than the wide receivers — that encouraged you the most?

Zachary Neel: I think the offensive line played pretty well as a whole, and especially well on the outside at tackle. Ziyare Addison and Fox Crader had great games, and Iapani Laloulu was as good as always in the middle. There is some stuff to figure out at the guard positions, but I think for the most part, Oregon fans can be feeling very good about where the offensive line is right now.

Don Smalley:  I liked the fact that this team had to face adversity right away and overcame it. Being down 17-7 to a really good Boise State team is no joke. It's too early to say they're playoff-tested, but Week 1 was a good sign of things to come. They won't buckle down under the pressure because they very well could have last week and the Ducks found a way to come through.

Bjorn Bergstrom: The ability to turn the notch up a level. Great teams find ways to win games, even if they get off to a slow start and have all the momentum going the other way. Down 10 points late in the first half, the Ducks put aside all of their struggles earlier and pieced together a strong 2-minute drive, kickstarting 17 unanswered points. It was a strong display of complementary football right when Oregon needed it most.

Logan Brown: I was delightfully surprised by the offensive line, both in terms of who played where and how the group played as a whole. Ziyare Addison and Fox Crader looked like big improvements from last season at offensive tackle and held down a veteran pass rush from Boise State. Iapani Laloulu was great, as usual, and although both guard spots saw some rotation, I thought Trent Ferguson and Michael Bennett bounced back from early struggles and played well. The run game did have much opportunity to get going, but in terms of protecting Dante Moore, it was as good as you could ask for given the situation.

Week 1 Negatives

Question:Alright, now let’s get negative. What needs to improve the most in your eyes for Oregon to actually reach their high ceiling this year?

Zachary Neel: I think the execution in general is what was frustrating in the first game. This is a veteran team, and having 10 penalties for 90 yards is pretty inexcusable, even if it is the first game of the year. It was a well-called game offensively from Drew Mehringer, and I think the opportunities were there for a comfortable win, but the Ducks need to be better about making the plays.

Don Smalley: Defense needs to be more dominant throughout the game, not just in the fourth quarter. The defensive line was almost a no-show for three quarters, and that can't happen. This was supposed to be the strength of the team. That front 4 has to put a lot more pressure on the quarterback than they did against the Broncos.

Bjorn Bergstrom: Hold the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The passing game can act as a backstop, but to set the tone that the Ducks want to set, being able to move the ball on the ground and stop the opposition from doing so is the biggest key moving forward. Once that happens, as it did many times in 2025, the passing game is opened up even more and is a luxury option of moving the ball, rather than a necessity.

Logan Brown: I know the box score will tell you Boise State only rushed for 93 yards and 2.6 yards per carry. However, Oregon’s run defense didn’t look as great as that may sound. In the second half, the Broncos consistently ran for four or five yards on early downs, right through the teeth of the Oregon defense. The Ducks didn’t wrap up well, and the defensive line got pushed around until the end of the game when it took over. Teams may be able to throw on the Ducks a little bit this year, but the ground game really should be under control with arguably the best defensive line in the country.

Oregon's WRs

Question:Let’s talk about the receivers. Jeremiah McClellan stole the show on Saturday, but all three guys had a big day. Do you think JMac has taken over the top spot, or is this going to be a revolving door at WR1?

Zachary Neel: I think it's a revolving door, but I think that McClellan is a lot closer to the top of that list than most people expected going into this year. He is a legit WR1 on a majority of teams in the nation, as are Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore. Oregon truly has the best trio of WRs in the nation.

Don Smalley: I think it'll be a revolving door. That's just the nature of this offense, but if McClellan is going to have a breakout season, that just opens the door for the other receivers to be great as well. It's an exciting group.

Bjorn Bergstrom: It’s going to be a revolving door, and that’s what the Ducks should want: Three, (maybe four when Iverson Hooks is healthy) dudes who are threats to go over 100 yards. Defenses will have a tough time keying in on one particular guy, and if they do the others will capitalize. I wouldn’t be surprised if McClellan, Moore and Stewart all come close to 700 receiving yards apiece if they stay healthy.

Logan Brown: Oregon wide receivers coach Ross Douglas said a few weeks ago that “anyone could be No. 1” at any time, and I tend to agree. The Ducks are going to spread the ball around so much that it’s hard to see one receiver completely overtaking everyone else throughout the season. McClellan is tremendous and always open, but I think Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart will get similar chances.

Evan Stewart at Punt Returner

Question:Evan Stewart struggled at punt returner, with a pair of muffed catches, one of which was recovered by Boise State, and a fair catch at the 3-yard line. Do you think Oregon should roll with him back there again, or make a change?

Zachary Neel: I think if you were going to make a change, it would have happened last week during the game. Stewart is a veteran player who knows where he needs to improve, and I think he should be given the chance to do so. Of course, if the struggles continue, you need to make a change, but give him another game first.

Don Smalley: Too early to make a change, but these miscues can't continue. Let's see how the Oklahoma State game goes. I have a feeling he'll have plenty of chances to field punts in Stillwater.

Bjorn Bergstrom: Make a change, and they should’ve made it during the game. He just didn’t look comfortable and I wonder if it was really fair for the coaching staff to put him back there in the first place, as this was his first game in nearly two years. Put Dakorien Moore or Dierre Hill Jr. at punt returner and the Ducks would be good.

Logan Brown: I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing changes this week, but it should. Stewart has great hands, but it’s different on special teams. Plus, he also makes some questionable decisions when running with the ball. If we’re playing by the three-strike rule, Stewart is out. Koi Perich is a proven option in the role after doing so at Minnesota, while guys like Dakorien Moore and Dierre Hill Jr. are also solid choices. It could also be an opportunity to get a young guy, like Messiah Hampton or Davon Benjamin, and opportunity with the ball. I understand sticking with Stewart, but I would like to see something different.

Stillwater Conditions

Question:Oregon’s got a 9AM body-clock kickoff, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-90s in Stillwater. You think that plays a factor?

Zachary Neel: I think it may lead to a slower start than normal for Oregon, but I also think that the Ducks are motivated enough in this one to come out swinging and try to put it on the Cowboys after what we saw last week. I don't expect it to be a major deal.

Don Smalley: The time won't be a factor. Kids at this age could play football at 2 am and be fine. The media covering the game? That's another story. But the temperatures and the humidity could be a problem. Oregon has world-class facilities and people in this area to not let this be too much of a problem. But the second half could be interesting. Hopefully the Ducks have a big lead and it won't matter much. 

Bjorn Bergstrom: I don’t see how it doesn’t play a factor. If the Ducks get off to another slow start and Cowboys get going, I’d be wary of Oregon’s ability to completely close the game in the second half considering the long amount of time spent in that temperature. While I think they’ll be ready to go by kickoff, if they aren’t, it could turn into a bigger issue than Week 1.

Logan Brown:  Against a better opponent, maybe? The Ducks have played in hot environments before and been just fine. The early kickoff hasn’t happened too often in Dan Lanning’s tenure at Oregon, but if the game plan is sound and the Ducks are staying hydrated and getting good sleep, there shouldn’t be much to worry about.

Gambling Corner

Question:Gambling Corner: You get $100 to spread across the point spread (Oregon -22.5), the moneyline (Oregon -2500 // Oklahoma State +1100), and the Over/Under (57.5 points). How are you allocating your funds?

Zachary Neel: Once again, I've got the Ducks covering, but I'm staying away from the Over/Under. I think Oregon jumps out early and rides to an easy victory.

Don Smalley: I got hammered last week. But let's put $70 on the Ducks covering the -22.5 and the rest on the Over.

Bjorn Bergstrom: Considering the Ducks have blasted out on fire or come out very slow in their non-conference games the last three seasons, this would be a stay away betting game for me — we just don’t know what version we’ll be getting in Stillwater. But if I had to bet, I’d put all my money on the under. The Cowboys shouldn’t score more than a couple touchdowns, if that.

Logan Brown: I’d avoid the money line entirely. Too much risk for a little reward. Instead, I’ll put $70 on Oregon -22.5 because I’m expecting a big response after some of the doubts cast from a close game in Week 1. I’ll also put $30 on the under 57.5 points. THe Ducks could single-handedly push this over, but it’s also a lot of points, and I’m not sure how much Oklahoma State will contribute.

Final Score Prediction

Question: Final Score Prediction: Who wins this game, and by how much?

Zachary Neel: I like Oregon 45, Oklahoma State 13 in this one.

Don Smalley: Ducks make a statement on the road. Oregon 55, Oklahoma State 13

Bjorn Bergstrom: Oregon gets up big early and holds Oklahoma State off. Ducks 35, Cowboys 14.

Logan Brown: Oregon 45, Oklahoma State 10. The Ducks deliver an aerial assault in Stillwater and get some young guys a chance late in a blowout. Oregon should silence some concerns this week.

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ducks Wire staff predicts Oregon Ducks vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys

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