How Oregon Ducks Can Send Another Message To The Big Ten In Title Game vs. Penn State
Dan Lanning is having a heck of a week in Eugene.
Let’s recap: Beat Washington 49-21 to cap off just the second 12-0 regular season in Oregon history. Moved Oregon’s 2025 recruiting class into the Top 5 nationally, and whilst doing so flipped top players from Ohio State (CB Na’eem Offord) and Washington (OT Zac Stascausky). Plus, he won over Oregon fans even more by putting the smashing of a Washington helmet at HALFTIME of last week’s win into the latest edition of ‘Ducks vs Them’.
He’s in year 3. Anybody have doubts about this guy now?
As of now the Ducks have the highest-rated recruiting class in the Big 10 for the 2025 cycle. They beat Ohio State en route to making the conference title game and going undefeated in their first regular season in the league. You think the rest of the conference has noticed yet?
And yet, Dan Lanning can still make the biggest statement of all on Saturday when Oregon takes on Penn State in the Big 10 Championship Game. The message he and his staff have driven home to recruits has clearly gotten through, what would a conference championship do to Oregon’s efforts on the trail? You tell me–but I know it can’t hurt.
That brings us to the game itself. Penn State under James Franklin has a narrative it’s trying to dispose of in addition to seeking its first conference title since 2016. They’ve time and again come up short in big games against the “big boys” of the Big 10. It’s pretty clear that Oregon has quickly established themself into that tranche of teams, so a win for the Nittany Lions would be a huge one for the program.
The loser of this game isn’t in bad shape. It looks like that team will host a home Playoff game and, in all likelihood, play the Big 12/Mountain West Champions in consecutive weeks (assuming they win the 1st game). That’s an easier path to the semifinal than the winner will get as the #1 overall seed in the 12-team Playoff, albeit playing an extra game.
Oregon just played a complete game against Washington and ran a 6-6 team off the field. Penn State did the same against a Maryland team that is not going bowling, but isn’t a catastrophe of a unit either. The Nittany Lions prevailed 44-7, once again showing their OC higher of Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas was a good one for QB Drew Allar and the offense.
Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton bring a dynamic and explosive rushing attack to the field. They’ve combined for over 1400 yards on the ground and can go from one guy to the next much like Ohio State can with Treyveon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. But what can Penn State manage against Oregon?
They failed to score an offensive touchdown in the 20-13 home loss to Ohio State many weeks ago. It’s their lone blemish of the season, but a familiar one for fans in Happy Valley. Oregon’s defense has been sensational this year, coming off a program-record 10 sacks against Washington.
Penn State has a better offensive line than the Huskies and a better, more experienced quarterback. Drew Allar’s top target is TE Tyler Warren, who has over 1,000 total yards of offense this season. They use him in creative ways, but if Oregon keeps him in check their defense could make this game look ugly at the end with few points scored.
Warren has 81 receptions this year, the Nittany Lions’ 2nd-leading wideout has 35 and is questionable to play this week. Passing against Tosh Lupoi’s defense has been immensely difficult for everyone this season, with only Ohio State eclipsing the 300-yard mark against it and nobody else has yet hit 250 yards throwing.
The Penn State defense led by future top 10 pick Abdul Carter is really good. Can he pressure Dillon Gabriel in ways that Ohio State’s all-conference pass rushers didn’t? That’s the matchup that will define how much success Oregon has on offense.
PREDICTION:
Oregon 27, Penn State 17