Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks entered the 2025 season ranked No. 3 in preseason polls, carrying championship expectations and the weight of high hopes. But according to CBS Sports analyst Emory Hunt, two September matchups loomed as potential season-defining obstacles that could derail those title dreams before conference play even began.
Why Did Emory Hunt Predict Penn State Would Be Oregon’s Biggest Test?
During his analysis on CBS Sports HQ, Hunt identified Oregon’s road trip to Penn State at Happy Valley as the Ducks’ most dangerous early-season challenge. The intimidating environment played a central role in his concerns.
“Penn State on the road, Happy Valley, Oregon, making that long trek out to State College is gonna be a tough one,” Hunt explained, highlighting the logistical and psychological challenges facing the Ducks.
Hunt’s analysis focused heavily on Penn State’s advantages, particularly their stability at the quarterback position. He called the Nittany Lions “the most balanced team, more known commodity at quarterback over Dante Moore.” This comparison became the foundation of his analysis, as Oregon’s quarterback situation raised significant questions.
The uncertainty surrounding Moore represented Hunt’s primary concern about Oregon’s chances. “We hadn’t seen him in two years,” Hunt noted, emphasizing the risk of relying on an unproven quarterback in such a hostile environment.
Beyond the quarterback matchup, the numbers supported Hunt’s skepticism about Oregon’s road prospects. Penn State had won 16 consecutive games at Beaver Stadium, creating a fortress-like atmosphere that few visiting teams could penetrate. With a seating capacity of 106,572, EA Sports ranked the stadium as one of the most challenging venues in college football.
The Nittany Lions’ home-field advantage under James Franklin had proven particularly formidable over the years. Hunt viewed Penn State’s veteran quarterback Drew Allar and their balanced roster as clear advantages over Oregon’s unproven signal-caller heading into his first major test of the season.
What Made the Oregon State Rivalry Game So Dangerous in September?
Hunt identified a second September challenge that could trip up the Ducks: their rivalry showdown with Oregon State scheduled for September 20. While he stopped short of predicting an upset, Hunt warned the matchup “could be tricky” for several reasons.
Hunt explained that holding such an emotionally charged contest in mid-September meant “both teams are still finding their identity, and emotions run high.” This combination of uncertainty and intensity created perfect conditions for an upset.
Playing the rivalry game so early in the season added layers of unpredictability that could favor the underdog Beavers. Teams often struggle with consistency during the opening weeks, and adding the emotional component of a heated rivalry creates additional variables that could work against the favored Ducks.
Hunt’s evaluation revealed two fundamental vulnerabilities in Lanning’s squad. The first centered on the quarterback position, where Moore’s ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments remained unproven. The second involved Oregon’s susceptibility to emotionally charged games, whether facing a veteran Penn State team on the road or dealing with a motivated rival at home.