National Pundit ranks the Oregon Ducks ahead of Penn State in his BIG-10 Tier rankings just ahead of the two teams top-10 matchup
Fox Sports Analyst Joel Klatt ranked Oregon in the top tier of his BIG-10 rankings.
On the latest episode of The Joel Klatt Show, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt unveiled his updated Big Ten tiers, a breakdown of which programs he believes are truly elite at this stage of the season. Despite national polls placing three Big Ten teams in the top tier, Klatt trimmed that group to just two: Ohio State and Oregon.
“Tier one I got two teams in tier one,” Klatt said. “That’s right even though there are three elite teams as the rankings have them, but I think there are two elite teams and that’s Ohio State and Oregon.”
A chance to prove it on Saturday
That statement left Penn State on the outside looking in, even though the Nittany Lions entered the week ranked ahead of the Ducks in the national polls. Klatt’s decision reflects his confidence in Oregon’s roster construction and quarterback play. He also signals that he still questions Penn State’s ability to match up with the league’s best in the long run.
“Oregon, meanwhile, is built the right way,” Klatt explained. “There is one concern I have for them, and that is that they didn’t stop the run very well against Northwestern. They are going to have to do that this week against Penn State if they want to go into Penn State and win in a White Out.”
Run defense has been one of the Ducks’ most significant question marks this season. Northwestern found consistent success on the ground in its matchup, exposing gaps at the second level that kept Oregon’s defense on the field far longer than it wanted. The Ducks will need their linebacking corps, led by veteran Bryce Boettcher, to take a step forward in discipline and physicality. Boettcher has become a steady leader in the middle, but Oregon will rely on him to set the tone against Penn State’s physical offensive line and punishing ground game.
On the offensive side, Klatt praised freshman quarterback Dante Moore, who has stepped into a starring role with poise beyond his years. Moore has carried the Ducks’ attack, flashing the kind of playmaking ability that has vaulted him into national Heisman Trophy conversations.
“But their quarterback, Dante Moore, again with the Mateer injury, this guy is going to be right there in the Heisman Trophy race—he’s that talented,” Klatt said.
For Oregon, Saturday’s White Out clash in Beaver Stadium presents both a test and an opportunity: a chance to back up Klatt’s belief that the Ducks belong in the same tier as Ohio State, while also silencing doubts about their defense. For Penn State, it’s the chance to prove Klatt wrong and show that their ranking isn’t a mirage.
With the brightest spotlight in Happy Valley, the Big Ten’s pecking order may become clearer by the end of the weekend.
