Joel Klatt Lauds Boise State Running Back Ashton Jeanty, Warns "Oregon Is in Real Trouble"

On the Joel Klatt Show this morning lead Fox College Football analyst had high praise for Boise State star Ashton Jeanty and a harsh evaluation of Oregon's status after a lackluster 24-14 win over Idaho.

Jeanty bolted for 267 yards and 6 touchdowns in the Broncos' 56-45 road win over Georgia Southern. The 5-9, 215 powerhouse from Jacksonville, Florida is lightning quick to the hole. He has great balance and a devastating stiff-arm. He makes tacklers miss and runs through them when he can't, racking up 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. A former wide receiver, he's also dangerous catching passes out of the backfield, 39 catches for 552 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2023.

Klatt said, "If this guy is going to be that good and productive, then Boise State is going to not only maybe knock off Oregon this week, but certainly represent the smaller schools in the college football playoff."

About Oregon, Klatt was less effusive. He told his podcast audience, 152,000 subscribers, "I actually have major concerns for Oregon. 24-14: They were favored in this game by as much as 49 and a half, and they were IN ONE, folks."

The former Colorado Buffalo quarterback expressed alarm that the Ducks gave up three sacks to Idaho after only allowing 5 all of last year, while rushing for 2.9 yards a carry.

"This is all of the sudden this offensive line getting beat up front. They give up three to FCS Idaho? That is not good. They ran it for under three yards per carry. So yes, alarm bells should be going off heavily around Oregon and their offensive line specifically. This is not something that is all that sustainable if you're talking about the expectations that Oregon is bringing to the table," he said.

He went on to note that the Ducks are 0-3 in their history against Boise State, with embarrassing, physical, shocking losses in 2008, 2009 and 2017.

"This has got to get better and it's got to get better in a big way and fast, fast."

The real problem is that Oregon will face much sterner challenges in the Big Ten, tests they appear not even close to prepared for.

Klatt said, "They've got to face Michigan's defensive line. They've got to face Ohio State's defensive line. They have to play better than this up front."

"Oregon is in real trouble."

Klatt's being dramatic, because he's trying to tell the story of all of this college football season, but he has a point. Teams that run the ball more effectively win 75% of the time, according to a study by Football Scoop.

In this matchup, the Oregon defensive line put up a strong game against Idaho, but the linebackers were a virtual nonfactor. To stop a running back like Jeanty, or just slow him down, the LBs have to be active, flow to their gaps and wrap up a runner who is among the best in the college game at winning those confrontations.