The Oregon Ducks stand atop the Big Ten but it's a close contest, even 10 weeks into the season. With Penn State and Ohio State close on the Ducks' tail, not to mention undefeated Indiana, Oregon has to remain perfect as the season continues.
As Oregon heads to Ann Arbor to pay the Michigan Wolverines a visit, the Buckeyes are visiting the Nittany Lions and the result of that matchup could affect the Ducks' year as much as their own game.
As of now, the Ducks are the No. 1 team in the country and the No. 1 team in the Big Ten. However, just a few steps behind them are the Nittany Lions at No. 3 in the nation, followed by the Buckeyes at No. 4. With the two top-four teams clashing, Oregon fans may want to pay attention to who walks away victorious.
While the Ducks won't necessarily be cheering on one team or the other, an Ohio State win would reflect infinitely better on Oregon this season.
Since Oregon already defeated the Buckeyes, a subsequent loss to the Nittany Lions would make the Ducks' win over Ohio State seem less meaningful. To put it simply, a win over a team that only suffers one loss in the regular season is more impressive than a team that suffers at least two losses throughout the year.
Similarly, Ohio State defeating the currently undefeated Penn State squad would bolster the Buckeyes stock as they head to Ann Arbor later this year. That way, no matter the outcome of Oregon's Week 10 game, the classic Big Ten matchup between Ohio State and Michigan could reflect well on the Ducks – though an Oregon loss to the Wolverines would be embarrassing at this point.
The moral of the story is, pull for the Ducks, of course. However, maybe add a cheer or two in for the Buckeyes this weekend as well.
No. 1 Oregon and unranked Michigan kick off at 12:30 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+. No. 3 Penn State and No. 4 Ohio State kick off at 9 a.m. PT on FOX.