Today at his weekly press conference they asked Penn State head coach about the 45-37 loss to Oregon last year in the Big Ten Championship and he said "I think we didn't have enough tools in the tool belt."
In the offseason Franklin and his staff plucked linebacker Amare Campbell, Kyron Ware-Hudson, Trebor Pena and Devonte Ross out of the transfer portal to even things up.
Bill Connelly, the stats guru from ESPN, posted Monday that SP+ predicts the Oregon at Penn State game Oregon 27.2, Penn St 26.8, indicating that this round is ridiculously close.
Both of these teams have looked good dominating weak competition in the season's first month, but that snapshot is inconclusive. It's the first time either of them have played an opponent this year with the ability to punch back.
Another unknown about both teams is how play-calling might change in a more competitive game. Franklin said today that there is no such thing as "going plain vanilla" in the offense. Teams run variations week-to-week, but 75% of the formations and plays fans will see Saturday the teams have shown before.
What has more impact is the tightening of rotations. In the Red Zone during the fourth quarter against Oregon State the Ducks ran fade patterns in the right corner of the end zone to Roger Salepaga and Kyler Kasper, reserve tight end and receiver, a conscious attempt to involve them in the offense.
Both plays were unsuccessful. If the Ducks have a Red Zone opportunity against Penn State, the ball is going to Kenyon Sadiq, Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan or Malik Benson, if it's not a run by Noah Whittington, Jayden Limar or Jordon Davison.
There will still be variety in the attack, but neither team is going to employ 10 different ball carriers or receivers. This matchup will be best versus best in what's likely to be a four-quarter game.
The PSU defense has been relentless in their 3-0 start:, 3rd nationally in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 2.8 yards a carry on the ground, 3.6 yards per play. When Nevada, Florida International or Villanova tried to pass the ball they completed just 52% with four interceptions and only two TDs.
The first-team defense has given up one field goal. That's it. King Mack and A.J. Wheatley have been stifiling at the corners, and Zakee Wheatley is an All-American candidate at safety.
What makes them a tough unit to score on in is the pressure from the Front 7. Jim Knowles' defense has piled up 29 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
The Ducks have scored 50.8 points per game in their 4-0 start, but they haven't faced this kind of pressure, or an environment as intimidating as the White Out.
Franklin urged the crowd to come alive.
James Franklin wants the fans to stand up for the entire White Out vs. Oregon:
— Avery Hill (@official_aveee) September 22, 2025
“This is is a four quarter, one play at a time, first, second down, third down, fourth down, punts, kickoff coverage that we need to be on our feet screaming a collective battle cry in the stadium.” pic.twitter.com/l4sueiiA0i
When the Ducks are on defense, they like to stem or shift just before the snap, changing the front in attempt to confuse the blocking rules for the offensive line. It can cause problems, but if the Nittany Lions snap the ball during the shift, they can catch the defensive line before they're set, creating opportunities to break big plays.
A defensive tackle who is not grounded in his stance becomes easier to move off the ball.