How to Watch Northwestern Wildcats vs. Oregon Ducks - Big Ten College Football (Oct. 31)
This week on Peacock, NBC Sports heads to the Pacific Northwest for Big Ten college football.
Content availability may vary over time.
Key Takeaways
- Northwestern vs. Oregon kicks off Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET from Eugene, Oregon, and will stream exclusively on Peacock.
- No. 20 Northwestern enters the matchup as one of the Big Ten’s surprise contenders, led by quarterback Aidan Chiles and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
- Oregon, despite a 4-3 record and the loss of star quarterback Dante Moore, remains dangerous at home in Autzen Stadium with backup Dylan Raiola looking to spark the Ducks’ resurgence.
We're entering the final push of the 2026 college football regular season, and the Big Ten Conference has already seen more than its fair share of surprises.
One of the biggest surprises is the success of the Northwestern Wildcats, long a team college football fans expect to be near the bottom of the conference. This year, the Wildcats are among the best teams in the Big Ten, with a shot at a conference title and more in their sights. This weekend on Peacock, they'll face a recovering Oregon Ducks squad still trying to find their footing after losing their star quarterback, and an upset could be on the horizon. Let's take a closer look.
How do I watch No. 20 Northwestern vs. Oregon?
October 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET, the Northwestern Wildcats and Oregon Ducks play exclusively on Peacock.
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Northwestern vs. Oregon kickoff time
Northwestern and Oregon are set to kick off October 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET, live from Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Northwestern vs. Oregon preview
Northwestern's only loss so far this season came more than a month ago, when they fell to then fifth-ranked Indiana by just six points. Since then, they've been on a tear through the Big Ten, winning games whether favored or not, thanks to the creative playcalling of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and an energetic young roster. Along with the still-undefeated UCLA Bruins, they're in contention to be the Big Ten's Cinderella team this season, if they can keep winning. But they'll face a very tough challenge against Oregon.
It's not just that the Ducks are talented, perhaps more talented than their 4-3 record would lead some fans to believe. It's that Autzen Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in college football. The environment there is just saturated with the Oregon faithful, and they're loud. As for the Ducks themselves, they're still trying to pull themselves back together after losing star quarterback Dante Moore, but there are signs of life. They've proven they can beat tough teams, including USC and Nebraska, and now they've got the chance to play underdog and pull off a home win that could help them get their swagger back.
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Northwestern vs. Oregon players to watch
Quarterback Aidan Chiles has been putting on a show all season long for the Wildcats, leading the offense in game after game, executing Kelly's play calls, and keeping Northwestern alive in the Big Ten title picture. He's racked up more than 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns with just one interception, and now he faces another big test: going into Autzen and playing with composure. If he can do that, Northwestern's winning streak has a chance to stay alive.
Opposite him is Dylan Raiola, the Ducks' backup quarterback who stepped in for the injured Dante Moore and has been hot and cold ever since. He's had solid games, and he's had very rough ones, but now's the time for Raiola to lock in. With a hometown crowd at his back and a roster full of talent in front of him, he has a chance to put it all together this week, and get the Ducks back in the fight.
Who's on the broadcast team for Northwestern vs. Oregon?
Paul Burmeister will call the action for NBC Sports, with analysis from Yogi Roth, sideline reporting from Caroline Pineda, and rules analysis from Reggie Smith.
