Oregon and Penn State compete for a conference title and a possible first-round playoff berth. This will be the fifth game between them, with the Nittany Lions leading the series 3-1. The program last faced the Ducks in the Rose Bowl to end the 1994 season, winning 38-20 to finish 12-0. For the very first time since 2008, the PSU concluded their regular season with 11 victories. Under James Franklin, the team has won 11 games in a season five times. However, it is currently anticipated that Dan Lanning’s Oregon may have to pay a significant playoff price even if they defeat Penn State.

Josh Pate predicts that Oregon will defeat Penn State in the conference championship, sending them directly to the second round with a bye week. They will therefore face the winner of the Ohio State and Tennessee Vols showdown after winning the BIG 10 championship, which is a more challenging opponent than Penn State. In a summary of the entire matter, Josh Pate said on his College Football broadcast on December 6: “I know the way most of you would go on that in this scenario the number one seed in this case Oregon gets the worst draw of any team in the second round. I think you are guaranteed to play either Tennessee or Ohio State and from where we sit by the way that Tennessee-Ohio State matchup looks locked in no matter what else happens everything else around them is moving around it looks like Tennessee is going to play Ohio State so you guys might as well go ahead and start prepping for that.” Therefore, it just shows that an unbeaten streak has a very high playoff price.

On the other hand, the two-round and even playoff matches will take an easy route if Penn State loses the Big 10 Title game. Penn State is anticipated to play Arizona State if they lose to Oregon. The quarterfinal matchup between them and Boise State is then anticipated. Since this scenario is predicated on the existing playoff bracket, Boise State is predicted to receive the fourth seed because of their expected success in their conference title game, and PSU will go in as the fifth seed.

But wait—expert predictions and Josh’s predictions for Oregon vs. Penn State don’t line up. Experts’ claims can captivate you.

Experts take on Oregon vs Penn State

If Oregon wins the league title in its first year in the Big 10, it will secure the No. 1 overall seed and a first-round bye, making it the final unbeaten team in the FBS rankings this season. However, given the Buckeyes’ unexpected loss to Michigan, Penn State earned a position in this meeting even though they lost to OSU. A victory over Oregon would almost guarantee a first-round bye, but a defeat should result in a first-round home game.

Now, it is surprising to learn that the Nittany Lions, not the Ducks, are predicted by the NCAA models to win the Big Ten title. Penn State was the close favorite in the game in nearly all 53.7% of the computer’s newest predictions. Oregon is now the presumed victor in the remaining 46.3% of simulations. Right now, it will be interesting to see whether Josh Pate’s or other CFB insiders’ predictions turn out to be correct. Therefore, make sure you’re going to watch the Oregon vs. Penn State game.