The time is now, the day is here and Penn State is about to play Oregon.
This is the one everybody has been waiting for going back to late January.
This is the one where we find out how good Penn State is.
Our staff’s picks are in, and here they are.
Jarrod Prugar: This needs to be a legacy game for Drew Allar. He doesn’t have to put insane numbers, but he needs to be efficient, in a rhythm early and control the ball. That coupled with a solid performance from the defense should lead to a victory.
Penn State 35, Oregon 31
Austin Bechtold: As the hype continues to grow, so does my confidence for Penn State in this game. Maybe because it’s the White Out. Maybe because College GameDay returns to Old Main. This is an opportunity for PSU to prove something.
Regardless of the outcome, something will be proven true. Can James Franklin finally win the big game? Does Drew Allar take the next step and play like one of the best quarterbacks in college football? How good is Jim Knowles‘ defense? Despite PSU being favored, many national polls are taking Oregon. It’s time Penn State proves it belongs. Allar will lead the charge, throw for two touchdowns, and began to silence his critics. At least, for just one more week.
Penn State 35, Oregon 27
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Kyle Golik: Think how Oregon, who previously never beat a Top 2 team, last season in Autzen Stadium against Ohio State. They had a veteran quarterback and home field advantage. This season, Oregon comes in with an edge, but it is a very young and inexperienced. We don’t know how Dante Moore will respond in big game and hostile environments? Or even their young freshman prodigies in Dakorien Moore and Brandon Finney. The boys decided in Miami to get back together again and win it all. They tasted that championship and know to get back there you got to win these games win the situation benefits you. Jim Knowles will have a defense that will bend and not break. Atticus Sappington may deserve a game ball after this, but kickers in these types of games shouldn’t be getting them. Oregon gets field goals, PSU gets touchdowns.
Penn State 28, Oregon 16
Yours Truly: What was the No. 1 reason Oregon beat Penn State for the Big Ten Championship last season? It started fast. I don’t see Oregon getting up 28-10 on Penn State in this environment.
What I do see if Penn State doing what it did well against Oregon last year: running the ball.
PSU put up 297 yards on the ground against Oregon last year, with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen each breaking the century mark. I have much more confidence in those two exploiting a leaky Oregon run defense than I do Oregon getting off to a quick start.
If PSU can pound the rock, it will win. I think it pounds the rock.
Penn State 34, Oregon 20
