(Photo: Fox Sports)
Saturday Spotlight
(6) Oregon Ducks at (3) Penn State Nittany Lions
Oregon (4-0):
If you’ve said their first four games of the season have all looked the same, I’d agree with you—because they have. They’ve played three lesser opponents in Eugene, and their lone road game so far took place in Evanston against the Northwestern Wildcats. I said the same thing about the Texas Tech Red Raiders last week, and I’ll apply that same message here: you play who you play and defeat who’s in front of you. I know Montana State, Oklahoma State, Northwestern, and Oregon State won’t necessarily jump off the page, but here they are, sitting at 4-0 and looking to build from there. People tend to forget this is the group that won the Big Ten conference title last year—in their first full season as members of the conference. I felt crazy calling them a dark horse in the Big Ten, but with Ohio State coming off a national championship, it made sense. I want to talk about Dan Lanning, if I may. He learned so much from Kirby Smart before taking this job, and I believe he’s one of the five best coaches in the country today. He’s an excellent recruiter, has taken full advantage of the transfer portal, and speaking of the portal, he landed a star at quarterback in Dante Moore. One thing about the Oregon Ducks: they will move the ball down the field. I’ve referred to them as a basketball team on the gridiron. They operate like a transition offense—moving quickly, playing with spacing, and stretching the field vertically. Tonight, they’ll be battling in Happy Valley against another undefeated team in the Big Ten.
Penn State (3-0):
Entering the season, they came in with some big-time expectations—and rightfully so after the year they had in 2024. Who would’ve thought they’d be just one game away from making the national title game a year ago? To be honest, the aura surrounding this team gives me 2023 Michigan vibes—and as always, I’ll explain what I mean. James Franklin now carries the title of “the coach who can’t win a big game,” a label Jim Harbaugh held for years—until he finally beat Ohio State. Just like that Michigan team, this Penn State group returned three key starters: Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, and Nick Singleton. So far this season, Drew hasn’t had to do much. Their schedule has allowed him to control games, hand the ball off to Kaytron or Nick, and manage passing situations. He’s only completed six explosive pass plays all season. They’ve lost both Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren—their best players on defense and offense, respectively. Replacing talent like that isn’t easy, but it takes a group effort. One of the best things James Franklin did was hire Jim Knowles as his defensive coordinator. I’ve raved about what Knowles did in Columbus, and now he’s trying to bring that same magic to Happy Valley. What I like most about this group is that they play their style of football. They want to be physical. That shows me the art of physical football isn’t lost—and that makes me smile. They’ll face the ultimate test tonight in their annual “White Out Game” against the Oregon Ducks.
Oregon X-Factor: Dakorien Moore
Moore and more! (All puns intended.) He’s a true freshman five-star recruit and already a major playmaker for this Ducks offense. So far, he’s shown why he was one of the top recruits in the country—his speed and separation ability make him a nightmare for any secondary, even elite ones. Penn State loves to press across the board and disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage. If Dakorien can win those battles and connect with Dante Moore, it could change how Penn State plays coverage tonight.
Penn State X-Factor: Nick Singleton
In my opinion, Penn State has the best running back duo in the country—and Nick Singleton is a big reason why. He’s a playmaker who can turn a routine carry into a big gain or a touchdown. He’ll face an Oregon defense that prides itself on speed, and one breakaway run could flip the momentum. If Penn State can establish Nick early, it won’t just take pressure off Drew Allar—it will also force Oregon’s linebackers and safeties to bite, opening up passing lanes. A strong running game will also help keep Oregon’s explosive offense on the sidelines.
Final Thoughts:
I’ve been waiting to reveal this one! These two met last December in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game, and Oregon won the conference in its first year as a member. Both teams are loaded with NFL talent, and I’m excited to see it all on display tonight. We’ve got two contrasting styles of football: Oregon thrives on explosive plays and wants to turn games into track meets. But they can also play with balance, as they’ve shown this year. Penn State, meanwhile, wants to turn games into a street fight—run the ball, control the line of scrimmage, and slow the pace. For Oregon, establishing balance to keep the Penn State defense honest, protecting Dante Moore from Jim Knowles’ pressure schemes, and staying disciplined in the hostile environment will be crucial. For Penn State, they need to control the trenches on both sides. The offensive line must create lanes for Singleton and Allen. Defensively, they have to throw Moore off his rhythm. I’ll be watching Drew Allar’s composure—he won’t need to throw for 350 or 400 yards, but he must be efficient, avoid turnovers, and convert on third downs. Lastly, Penn State must tackle in space. Oregon lives off yards after the catch. Wrap up and bring the ball carrier to the ground immediately. What a game this should be—and it’s another White Out! Can James Franklin finally win a big one? Or will Dan Lanning get his signature win as Oregon’s head coach?
