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Paul Finebaum reveals who he is picking in Oregon at Penn State White Out game

Danby: Daniel Hager09/26/25DanielHagerOn3
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© Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 6 Oregon in Happy Valley this weekend in the 22nd ‘White Out’ game. The game holds massive College Football Playoff implications and marks a rematch from last season’s Big Ten Championship game.

Oregon, in its first season as a member of the Big Ten, downed Penn State 45-37 in the title game to improve to 13-0 and wrap up the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Lions would get the last laugh, however, as they advanced to the CFP Semifinal while the Ducks were upset by eventual National Champion Ohio State in the Quarterfinal. 

Ahead of Saturday’s Top 10 conference matchup, ESPN‘s Paul Finebaum joined Friday morning’s edition of ‘Get Up.’ There, he gave his surprising pick for the game, based on his comments about the program all summer.

Finebaum makes his pick between No. 3 Penn State/No. 6 Oregon

“I like Penn State,” Finebaum said. “And that is a switch because have you heard that James Franklin isn’t very good in big games? I know that might be breaking news up there, but that is the reality. Drew Allar has not played well in these big games. Remember last year in the Orange Bowl, they had a 10-point lead against Notre Dame and let it slip away. James Franklin has been pointing to this game because their preseason slate was so weak we haven’t been paying attention to them. Good news for Penn State, as even with a loss, they still have a path, although not a great one because Ohio State looms large ahead.

“I think this is (Franklin)’s best team. We’ve heard that all preseason and I think tomorrow night we’re gonna see it. I have great respect for Oregon and Dan Lanning, but I think Drew Allar is the best quarterback in this game. I think the ‘White Out’ does make a difference, even though they lost a few of these. To me, this seems like the moment for James Franklin to finally quiet all the critics, including me.”

Since taking over at Penn State in 2014, Franklin’s teams are 15-28 against ranked opponents. For years, Finebaum has been one of Franklin’s biggest haters, but he is indeed picking him and his Nittany Lions to earn a massive victory over the Ducks this weekend.

Kickoff for Saturday night’s massive matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on NBC.