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Penn State
Offense: Slow starts are a dangerous repeat from last year. The Nittany Lions are playing with fire if that continues. Also a bit concerning that, despite the cupcake schedule, the Lions rank ninth in Big Ten in yards per game, including seventh in rushing, ninth in passing. Drew Allar has struck out in the team's biggest games (Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon), so this is his shot at living up to the hype.
Defense: PSU is allowing just 5.7 games and starters have allowed just a field goal, that coming in the opener. Granted, the opponents have been bad, but Jim Knowles has been worth the investment thus far. Amare Campbell has been a strong addition, ranking seventh among Big Ten tacklers (22). Tony Rojas has played his two best career games in consecutive weeks.
Special teams: The Lions have settled for more field goals than they would like, but Ryan Baker has been outstanding, his nine field goals leading the conference after three weeks. He also is showing good range, going 3-for-3 between 40-49 yards. Punter Gabriel Nwosu is third among Big Ten punters on limited kicks and King Mack is second in kick return average.
Coaching/intangibles: Big Game James gets another crack to start changing the narrative. He is 4-20 against Top 10 teams and a putrid 1-15 against Top 5 opponents. Paying Knowles what it did shows how much PSU wants to get over the hump against these teams. Penn State came close three times last year, but close hardly cuts it.
Oregon
Offense: The Ducks are averaging 50.8 points per game but also have faced an easy schedule. This team traditionally features explosiveness, however, and Dante Moore has shined while replacing Dillon Gabriel. He is completing 78 percent of his passes, throwing at least three touchdowns three times. The running game produces seven yards per carry. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq is a projected NFL first-round pick.
Defense: Oregon allows fewer than 10 points per game but was less than sharp early last week. Dillon Thieneman is one of the country's top safeties, topping 100 tackles in consecutive seasons. Matayo Uiagalelei is a consistent disruptor up front, generating three sacks through four games after going for 10.5 last season. Oregon has two pick-6s as well thus far.
Special teams: Kicker Atticus Sappington has been close to automatic, connecting on 35 field goals and missing just four these past three years. He has not kicked one beyond 50 yards but is 10-13 between 40-49. Punter James Ferguson-Reynolds has a strong mustache game, but the leg has been lacking, albeit in limited action, averaging 37.5 yards on four punts.
Coaching/intangibles: Dan Lanning has been outstanding at Oregon, going 39-6 in four years, 17-1 the last two, and leading the Ducks to the Big Ten championship in the school's first year with the league. Oregon probably was the country's second-best team last year, but its reward for entering the playoffs undefeated was the tournament's toughest draw. He has the Ducks rolling again.
Advantages: Penn State, defense and special teams. Oregon, offense and coaching/intangibles.
Prediction: Honestly, how much do we know about these teams considering their weak schedules so far? Both appear among the country's best but until Franklin proves he can beat one of the country's best teams, I have to follow the established trends here. Oregon 27, PSU 24
Prediction record: 3-0
Chris Masse is a sports writer for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, a sister paper of the Mirror and part of Ogden Newspapers.