Two undefeated national powerhouses are set to collide under the lights this weekend in a high-powered Big Ten matchup with massive playoff implications. The No. 6 Oregon Ducks, holding a 4-0 record, will travel to face the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions, who are 3-0, at Beaver Stadium. The game is a rematch of last year’s conference championship, a contest Oregon won before both teams advanced to the College Football Playoff. This time, with revenge on their minds and a frenzied home crowd, the Lions are looking to settle the score.
How Will Dante Moore Handle His First True Road Test?
Oregon enters the contest with one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, led by star freshman quarterback Dante Moore. He has kept the Ducks rolling, most recently carving up Oregon State in a 41-7 rout. In that game, Moore finished with 305 passing yards, four touchdowns, and 53 rushing yards, solidifying himself as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender. However, not everyone is convinced the young quarterback is ready for the toughest challenge of his career.
College football analyst Blake Ruffino, co-host of “The Ruffino and Joe Show,” raised concerns this week about how Moore and the Ducks’ receivers might handle the Penn State secondary in such a hostile environment.
“The real questions that I start asking myself in this game: can Dante Moore go on the road halfway across the country, or literally all the way across the country, and in that environment, when, quite frankly you have not been tested like that, can you make the plays? Is this Oregon wide receiver room, who quite honestly has been able to sleepwalk themselves through the first couple of weeks, ready for this? Because this really isn’t the secondary that you can sleepwalk against. They’re really talented and they will light you up,” said Ruffino.
Additionally, Ruffino suggested that Penn State quarterback Drew Allar’s experience could ultimately tip the scales in the Lions’ favor. “This is as even as I think two teams can get. And I do wonder if the experience for [Drew] Allar can propel them over Oregon.”
What Does Oregon Expect from Penn State’s Defense?
Penn State comes into the game unbeaten after rolling through its first three contests, and the team’s defense has once again been its backbone. Known for an aggressive front and an opportunistic secondary, the Lions will likely try to pressure Moore early and force mistakes.
Meanwhile, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has been vocal about his respect for Penn State’s strengths. Ahead of the matchup, he praised James Franklin’s program and emphasized the challenge awaiting his team.
MORE: Dante Moore’s 2025 Breakout: Oregon QB Draws CJ Stroud Comparisons After Hot Start
“I mean, Penn State is an extremely talented team. They do do it well in all three phases. Coach [James] Franklin runs a great organization, and they present a ton of challenges. I’ve said it before, but defensively, there are as multiple and disruptive as anybody we will play. They got great edge play,” said Lanning in a recent press conference.
With both teams ranked in the top 10, Saturday’s showdown could shape the trajectory of the Big Ten race and the College Football Playoff picture. For the Ducks, this is a chance to prove they can handle a hostile Big Ten environment. For the Lions, it is an opportunity to avenge last year’s title game loss. If Moore delivers a strong performance, his Heisman campaign will gain serious momentum. But if Penn State’s defense lives up to its billing, the Lions may walk away with the kind of statement win that defines a season.