Penn State's annual White Out game reveals one of college football's best atmospheres -- and it also has delivered plenty of iconic games.

Last week: Penn State was on a bye; Oregon crunched in-state rival Oregon State 41-7 at home. Last meeting between the two teams: Oregon beat PSU 45-37 in last season’s Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis. Key matchup: Penn State’s offensive line vs. the Ducks’ D-line and linebackers.

When the FanDuel Sportsbook opened its betting at OSU -20.5. Since then, it has dropped a bit to 18.5 points. The gold standard college football analytics system, SP+, has it as a 32-19 game in favor of the Buckeyes, which is not a cover. But I will note that the Buckeyes are 6-0-1 against the spread this season.

It's like watching the Harlem Globetrotters — without the buckets of confetti. That's not a criticism. They're the best team in the country.

Ohio State’s 2024 national title defense starts on the defensive side, with a unit leading the nation in points allowed and yards allowed. Veteran safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles lead the group coached by first-year coordinator Matt Patricia, while defensive end Caden Curry has quietly tied for the Big Ten lead with seven sacks.

The last time Penn State needed to make a big football hire, it plucked a fast-rising first-time coach from Vanderbilt. A dozen years later, could the Nittany Lions do it again? Multiple national reports suggest that's a real possibility.

Here's a closer look at Ohio State assistant coach Brian Hartline, a potential candidate for Penn State's head-coaching job