Penn State is so bad it's pulling the rest of the Big Ten down with it in the CFP rankings

No. 6 Oregon beat Penn State in Week 5 when the Nittany Lions were still considered as the future 2025 national champions. Since the Ducks' double overtime win, Penn State was never the same. Due to that, beating the blue and white is no longer a bargaining chip into the College Football Playoff.

While Oregon gets the credit for derailing the Nittany Lions' entire season and being the catalyst for their embarrassing elimination from playoff contention, the Ducks have yet to play (and beat) what's considered an impressive team in 2025. If anyone can defeat Penn State, that win isn't all that special to Oregon's resume anymore.

Tuesday was the first look at CFP rankings heading into Week 11. Despite having the ninth best total offense and fourth best total defense in the country with a No. 6 AP Top 25 Poll ranking, the Ducks landed ninth in the first playoff picture.

Oregon learns the hard way that beating Penn State isn't enough in 2025

So far in 2025, the Ducks beat Oklahoma State (69-3), Northwestern (34-14), Oregon State (41-7) Penn State (30-24), Rutgers (56-10), and Wisconsin (21-7). Their only loss is to No. 2 Indiana, 30-20. As of Week 11, the Hoosiers are the only team still ranked that Oregon faced so far in 2025.

With a 6-1 record, the Ducks were obviously going to be in the first CFP picture, but what they accomplished so far in 2025 isn't anything to rave about or reward. They haven't won against a competitor on their level, and Indiana beat them on their home field.

Penn State was supposed to be that win, but the Nittany Lions allowed every Big Ten team to walk over them ever since Oregon beat them. The Ducks need a real resume booster to have a more-than-secure spot in the CFP.

Still to go, Oregon faces Iowa, Minnesota, No. 20 USC, and No. 24 Washington.The Hawkeyes are currently ranked 20th in the CFP picture, so Saturday can be the Ducks' opportunity to start putting together their pitch to be a shoe-in in the playoffs.

While the Trojans didn't make the cut on Tuesday, they're still ranked No. 20 on the AP Poll. If the Ducks beat USC, that win will carry more weight than Week 5's victory over the Nittany Lions whether or not the Trojans are featured in the first CFP ranking. Also leaning in Oregon's favor is a potential win over the Huskies, its final contest of the 2025 regular season. Washington was ranked 23rd in Tuesday's CFP ranking.

Defeating Penn State deserves a participation trophy. The Ducks can't just beat a beatable team and expect playoff security in Week 11.