As August winds down, the buzz in Eugene is undeniable. The No. 7 Oregon Ducks are set to open their 2025 season on Saturday, August 30, at Autzen Stadium against the Montana State Bobcats. Oddsmakers expect a one-sided affair—Oregon is a 27.5-point favorite with an over/under of 56.5—but this matchup comes with both historical intrigue and present-day stakes. The teams have met only once before, back in 1947, when Oregon won 27-14 in Eugene. But don’t dismiss Montana State: the Bobcats are fresh off a 15-1 season that ended in the FCS national championship game, and they’ve got the toughness to keep things interesting, at least early on.
Head coach Dan Lanning knows better than to overlook the Bobcats. In his Monday presser, Lanning called it an “exciting week” and tipped his hat to Montana State coach Brent Vigen, the second-winningest coach in MSU history, who’s built a powerhouse in Bozeman. “They’ve competed for championships,” Lanning said, highlighting their defensive disguises, relentless effort, and offensive threats like wideout Taco Dowler, a nightmare in the return game. With new coordinators on both sides for MSU, Lanning emphasized the importance of preparing for the unknown: “You prepare for a lot, and ultimately, you try to say, okay, our rules have to play out.” It’s classic Lanning—respectful, detail-oriented, and laser-focused on execution.
On the flip side, Montana State’s defensive coordinator Shawn Howe isn’t backing down from the challenge. Speaking to local media, Howe expressed curiosity about how his squad will “bow their neck and stand up to Oregon,” acknowledging the Ducks’ elite personnel and coaching. It’s a nod to the talent gap, but also a sign of confidence from a team that punched above its weight last year, including a Week 1 upset over FBS foe New Mexico. Howe reflected on that gritty win as a tone-setter: “You saw that for the next 14 games … a team that wanted to fight.” If the Bobcats can channel that same fire, they might keep this closer than the spread suggests.
One storyline that’s impossible to ignore is at quarterback for Montana State. After a camp battle, they’ve tabbed Justin Lamson, a transfer from Stanford, as the starter. Ducks fans might remember him from 2023, when he went 11-of-20 for 106 yards in a lopsided 42-6 loss to Oregon at Stanford. Lamson’s more of a dual-threat guy—he’s rushed for over 400 yards in his career with 13 scores—but his passing has been erratic (45.9% completion rate lifetime). “I feel like I’m in good control of the offense,” Lamson said this week, but facing Oregon’s revamped defense, with just two returning starters, will be his toughest test yet. Lamson’s mobility could test a Ducks defense that’s still gelling, especially up front and in the secondary. Expect defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi to dial up pressure to exploit Lamson’s inconsistencies.
For Oregon to cover that hefty spread and start the year on a high note, they’ll need to lean into their strengths. First, establish the run early to settle in whoever’s under center—be it Austin Novosad or Dante Moore. With a beefy offensive line averaging over 300 pounds per man, backs like Makhi Hughes and Noah Whittington should feast against MSU’s front, even with standouts like DE Kenneth Eiden IV returning. Second, get playmakers like tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wideout Dakorien Moore involved in space—offensive coordinator Will Stein excels at scheming mismatches, and Montana State’s secondary is a big question mark after losing all starters. Finally, stuff the run on defense; the Bobcats will try to control the clock with their ground game, so interior linemen like Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington need to hold firm.
This isn’t just a tune-up—it’s a litmus test for both sides. Oregon’s chasing a national title after years of near-misses, and a sluggish start like last year’s against Idaho could raise eyebrows ahead of tougher tests like Oklahoma State and the Big Ten slate. Montana State, meanwhile, wants to prove they’re FCS royalty capable of hanging with the big boys.
Prediction: Ducks pull away in the second half for a 45-17 win, covering the spread but not without some first-quarter fireworks from the Bobcats. Autzen will be rocking, and if Oregon plays to its potential, this could be the launchpad for something special in 2025.
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