In a crucial Week 5 matchup that might shake up the College Football Playoff picture, Penn State hosts No. 6 Oregon. Oregon enters as a slight underdog, hoping to maintain its strong start, while the Nittany Lions, fresh off a bye, are looking to show off their skills at home in front of Beaver Stadium’s crazy “White Out” crowd. This will be the Ducks’ first true test against a top-5 team, with a fierce crowd and high stakes. Home-field advantage and a huge fan base could make things even more challenging.

Oregon’s chances may improve if running back Noah Whittington, wide receiver Justius Lowe, and linebacker Dylan Williams show up after being uncertain this week. When healthy, Whittington and Lowe have been key contributors, and even a limited role could give the Ducks a spark. Playing at Happy Valley under the lights is a completely different story. This game is also a rematch of the Big Ten championship game from the previous year, in which Oregon barely prevailed 45-37. You can expect outstanding plays, fireworks, and a game that could go either way.

When Oregon plays Penn State, Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge, NBC’s lead broadcast team, will be calling every move. You’ve probably heard Noah Eagle’s voice if you don’t know him by name yet. Since 2019, he’s been making waves in the sports world by calling everything from NBA games to college football games to the Men’s Basketball Gold Medal Game at the Olympics in Paris. He has a background in both radio and television, and he has the interesting fact that his father is the renowned commentator Ian Eagle. Noah recently won a Sports Emmy for his work at the Olympics, so expect sharp, energetic play-by-play coverage throughout the game.

Todd Blackledge, a Penn State legend who led the Nittany Lions to the national championship in 1982, will serve as an analyst. For decades, he has been commentating on some of the most important college football games for ABC, CBS, ESPN, and now NBC. Blackledge provides professional analysis, player insights, and a ton of fun stories from his own career, along with his insider knowledge and firsthand experience as a Penn State quarterback. Eagle and Blackledge combine to form a seasoned, dynamic team that will bring the excitement of a big game.

Quarterbacks to take center stage in Penn State–Oregon shutdown

Happy Valley is going to have an incredible Saturday night with the primetime White Out that looks like a September playoff game. No. 3 Penn State and No. 6 Oregon face off. The Ducks have been dominating opponents, but haven’t encountered anything like this atmosphere, while the Nittany Lions enter the game fresh off a bye week with a lot to prove. Both quarterbacks, Drew Allar and Dante Moore, will be under pressure from the first snap at Beaver Stadium, which is one of the loudest and most hostile venues in college football, thanks to the more than 107,000 all-white spectators.

For Penn State, efficiency is the main goal. Andy Kotelnicki, the coordinator, and Allar must start the offense early and steer clear of those dreaded third-and-longs. The return of Zuriah Fisher gives the defensive front more depth, and James Franklin’s team appears healthier after the bye. Against an Oregon offensive line that has displayed weaknesses on the outside, expect Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, and even true freshman Chaz Coleman to get chances off the edge. Penn State can throw off Moore’s timing and make the Ducks change their defenses if they can win one-on-one games regularly.

With seven backs who can all move the chains, Oregon’s ground game is as deep as it gets, and running back Noah Whittington’s return should help them. Penn State’s secondary hasn’t been put through much this season, but Moore has the arm and poise to test it. Can the Nittany Lions withstand Oregon’s speed and tempo? That is the game to watch. A single missed coverage could decide the entire game. In the end, this match will be determined by how each quarterback responds to the chaos of the White Out and in the trenches.