A rematch of last season's Big Ten Championship Game, won by the Ducks 45-37, Oregon travels to Penn State for a White Out night game on September 27.
It's a clash of Top Ten teams and preseason conferences favorites, both 3-0 with PSU enjoying a bye this weekend, the Ducks at home against Oregon State Saturday in Autzen Stadium. Oddsmaker CricaSports released the betting line Thursday, installing the Nittany Lions as a three-point favorite.
Given that the White Out, the fireworks and the pregame chant of "WE ARE PENN STATE!" comprise one of the most fearsome atmospheres in college football, that means these teams are evenly, evenly matched.
ESPN's matchup predictor concurs. It lists the home squad as 51.9 percent favorites in Happy Valley, making it a virtual dead heat on a neutral field.
One big question for the Ducks is health. With another game in two days they've compiled a long list of dings and nicks. Evan Stewart and Trey McNutt are out. Noah Whittington missed the Northwestern game. Dakorien Moore reportedly bruised his hip at practice this week.
The injury report ahead of Oregon State at Oregon, from Zachary Neel of Ducks Wire:
Noah Whittington (Questionable)
Austin Novosad (Questionable)
Sione Laulea (Questionable)
Dylan Williams (Questionable)
Brayden Platt (Questionable)
Dillon Gresham (Out)
Trey McNutt (Out)
Evan Stewart (Out)
There's no mention of Moore on this list, so he could be ready to go for the Beavers. Whittington might also be full-go by gametime in Happy Valley. Still, the toll in Eugene looks daunting, especially since PSU made quick work of Nevada, Florida International and Villanova, and they enjoy the advantage of a full 14 days to prepare.
Excuses don't win ball games. More imposing yet is the Penn State defense, which through three games against Tomato Can competition has looked fierce.
New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who came over from Ohio State after winning a national championship and throttling the Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl, has them attacking, among the national leaders in scoring defense at 5.7 points per game (No. 3), tackles for loss (29, 4th) and sacks (9, 17th.)
Quarterback Drew Allar has yet to find a similar groove. He ranks 69th nationally in passer rating, just four touchdowns against one interception while completing 64.8 percent of his throws. He's been inconsistent connecting with his new receivers.
Drew Allar is another quarterback that is just completely overrated. pic.twitter.com/1GbDfLB3R1
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) September 13, 2025
But the biggest challenge in facing the PSU offense lies in containing their running back tandem of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, both of whom went over 1,000 yards last year. In their 3-0 start, the Ducks have looked vulnerable against the run, pushed around a bit by Northwestern last week.