(BCSNN) — No. 6 Oregon welcomes Oklahoma State to Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 13, in a non-conference clash that pits two programs at different stages of development. The Ducks (1-0) are coming off a dominant 59-13 win over Montana State, while the Cowboys (1-0) are navigating a youth movement after a 3-9 campaign in 2024.
The quarterback matchup in this one features Oregon’s redshirt sophomore Dante Moore and Oklahoma State’s redshirt freshman Zane Flores. Moore, a former five-star recruit and UCLA transfer, made his first start for the Ducks last week and impressed, completing 18-of-23 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns. His poise and arm talent have drawn early NFL buzz, and head coach Dan Lanning praised Moore’s ability to “take what’s given and execute at a high level.”
Flores steps in after starter Hauss Hejny suffered a broken foot in the opener against UT Martin. In relief, Flores went 13-of-20 for 136 yards and led the Cowboys to a 27-7 win. Head coach Mike Gundy expressed confidence in the third-year freshman, noting his maturity and preparation. “He’s been around, traveled with us, and now it’s his time to go play,” Gundy said. “We just need to put him in a position to succeed.”
Oregon’s offense looked balanced and explosive in Week 1, racking up 253 rushing yards and 253 passing yards. Ten receivers caught passes, and six backs topped 20 rushing yards. The Ducks’ defense, meanwhile, held Montana State to 13 points and forced two turnovers. Oklahoma State’s defense allowed just 225 yards in its opener, but the unit will face a significant upgrade in speed and depth against Oregon.
The coaching contrast adds intrigue. Lanning, in his fourth season, has compiled a 36-6 record and led Oregon to a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth last year. Gundy, now in his 21st season, is the longest-tenured coach in the Big 12 and has 170 career wins, but enters 2025 with a restructured staff and 65 new scholarship players. The Cowboys flipped their roster in the offseason, hoping to rebound quickly.
Off the field, the matchup has drawn attention for Gundy’s comments about Oregon’s NIL spending, suggesting non-conference scheduling should reflect financial parity. Lanning responded pointedly: “We spend to win. Some people save to have an excuse for why they don’t.” The exchange has added fuel to a game already loaded with storylines.
Gundy opting to essentially tell his opponent, and the entire college football world, that he thinks Oregon has an entirely different class of player on its roster than his own, thanks to more spending, is one of the most curious moves by a coach leading up to a game ever. Is he complaining about having quality opponents on the non-conference slate? Gundy has been in Stillwater for 21 years, so he was there when the game got scheduled. Was it a jab at his own boosters for not spending more and allowing the Pokes to compete?
The more you analyze Mike Gundy complaining about Oregon being on the schedule because they spend more, the stupider and whinier it sounds. Looking ahead, Oklahoma State faces Tulsa next. The Golden Hurricane must have a lot more NIL money than some of us knew, or else the righteous Mike Gundy would never sully his program's schedule with an opponent that doesn't spend the same amount. Let's ignore a coach making preemptive excuses for a loss ahead of his game, for the sake of this preview and continue.
Autzen Stadium presents a formidable challenge for visiting teams. Oregon has won 16 straight at home and boasts one of the loudest environments in college football. Flores will need to manage the noise and tempo, while Moore looks to build on his strong debut and solidify his status as one of the nation’s rising stars.
If you ask Mike Gundy, Oregon already won this one by paying more for better players, but we're going to let the teams play it out anyway. The Ducks' depth, speed, and quarterback edge to give do give OU a clear advantage in this one. Oklahoma State may hang tough early, but expect Moore and Oregon to pull away in the second half.
