Oregon memiliki sesuatu untuk dibuktikan – Penn State memiliki segalanya untuk dibuktikan

For the casual college football fan, Saturday brings a top-10 rematch between two teams still defined by what happened in last year’s Big Ten title game.

Oregon used that 45-37 victory to lock up the No. 1 seed heading into the 2024 postseason. For Penn State, it was a long-awaited shot at a conference title without Ohio State or Michigan in the way — and they let it slip.

This year’s showdown features two of the sport’s premier quarterbacks and has plenty of playoff implications once again.

Oregon’s Dante Moore is off to a sharp start, averaging 262.3 passing yards per game with an 11-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s supported by a backfield that’s averaging a staggering 9.1 yards per carry and 255.3 rushing yards per game.

Penn State’s Drew Allar lit up Oregon’s defense for 280 total yards and four touchdowns (with two picks) in last year’s title game. He returns alongside 12 other starters who know what it’s like to reach the postseason — and what it feels like to see a shot at a national title disappear on a single play. They’re hardened by sorrow. Powered by it. Fueled by a six-month fight to take the crown.

Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions smiles during an interview after a game against FIU. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

The Nittany Lions are showing their teeth early this season, averaging 44 points per game and outscoring their first three opponents, 132-17. They are 22–0 against unranked teams with Allar at quarterback, but unranked teams aren’t the ones standing between them and a national title. And make no mistake, that’s the goal.

This class — or litter — of Nittany Lions seek their first successful hunt: a big-time win against an opponent in their weight class. The Ducks are their first real shot this season.

Yes, this is Oregon’s first road game against a ranked opponent in 2024. But Penn State is battling more than just the Ducks. They’re fighting their own history.

• Penn State is 4-20 against top 10 opponents under James Franklin.
• Penn State hasn’t beaten a Power 4 top-10 opponent in 996 days (Jan. 2, 2023, Utah).
• Penn State hasn’t beaten a Big Ten top-10 opponent in 2,132 days (Nov. 23, 2019).