Penn State Football Early Thoughts on Big Ten Championship Game Matchup vs. Oregon
Penn State Football got a surprise gift from Sherrone Moore and the Michigan Wolverines Saturday to punch the Nittany Lions‘ ticket for Penn State head coach James Franklin’s second Big Ten Championship game appearance, clinched by a 44-7 blowout win over Maryland on Senior Day at Beaver Stadium.
The Nittany Lions have not been able to get back to Indianapolis since Franklin’s first appearance in 2016 when the Nittany Lions beat the Wisconsin Badgers to win the program’s first Big Ten championship since 2008 and the only Big Ten championship in the James Franklin era.
In 2024, however, the Nittany Lions will once again return to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to face the Oregon Ducks in Oregon’s first year in the expanded Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions have faced the Oregon Ducks four times in history, going 3-1 in those matchups. In the last matchup, Penn State beat the Oregon Ducks 38-21 in the Rose Bowl in 1995 to cap off Penn State’s last perfect season (and arguably the last national championship in program history).
Here are three early thoughts for Penn State before heading to face the Ducks next weekend in Indianapolis.
Penn State Football has Punched CFP Ticket, But Scenarios Vary Wildly Depending on Saturday’s Outcome
After finishing the regular season 11-1 and punching their ticket to the Big Ten championship game, the Nittany Lions have punched their ticket to the inaugural 12-team college football playoff.
However, the Nittany Lions’ seeding for the playoff varies wildly depending on the outcome of next week’s championship game. If the Nittany Lions beat the number one Oregon Ducks next weekend, the Nittany Lions have a great argument for the number one or number two seed, depending on the outcome of the other championship games.
If the Nittany Lions lose in the championship game, however, the Nittany Lions could find themselves in the back half of the top 10, and potentially losing the opportunity to host a college football playoff game. Last week, the Nittany Lions were ranked fourth and slotted in the six seed behind the Ohio State Buckeyes. With the head-to-head loss to the Buckeyes, even with the championship game appearance, the Nittany Lions could find themselves slipping to the seventh or eight seed to host a playoff game, or heading on the road as a nine or ten seed depending on how the loss looks compared to other teams ranked in the top 10 and which teams fall in their respective conference championship games.
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Penn State Limping into Big Ten Championship Game
Penn State could have used an extra bye week heading into the college football playoff instead of heading to Indianapolis this weekend.
The Nittany Lions have injuries piling up at key positions ahead of the Big Ten championship and the college football playoff, creating depth issues ahead of a postseason run for the Nittany Lions.
Last week, Penn State head coach James Franklin announced that both starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh and backup defensive tackle Alonzo Ford would be out long term with injuries. Against the Terrapins Saturday, starting receiver Harrison Wallace III was questionable heading into the game. Vega Ioane also left the game for a period of time with an injury.
Penn State has also been dealing with lingering injuries for receiver and punt returner Kaden Saunders and running back Nick Singleton (who has been playing through his injuries). Even starting quarterback Drew Allar limped off the field for a few plays in the second quarter before returning to the game on the next drive.
The Nittany Lions will not have the luxury of a three week bye before the first round of the playoff, however, heading to Indianapolis this weekend. The Nittany Lions will have to make the most of the “next man up” philosophy to try to hoist the Big Ten championship trophy for the second time in the James Franklin era.
Oregon Will be Penn State’s Toughest Opponent This Season
With the Big Ten eliminating divisions in 2024, the times of an easy Big Ten west opponent in the championship game are no more.
Instead, Penn State will face number one Oregon in next week’s Big Ten championship. Oregon is the lone undefeated team in FBS division I football this season, with an impressive 11-0 record, including a win over Ohio State at home in October.
The Oregon Ducks hold the number one ranking in the College Football Playoff rankings and ranks first in the nation in strength of record and ranks fifth in game control. Oregon also ranks fifth in overall efficiency and fourth in offensive efficiency nationally.
The Ducks’ signal caller, Dillon Gabriel, also ranks among the top of the Big Ten in every offensive passing category, including passing yards (1st), passing touchdowns (2nd), completion percentage (1st), and quarterback rating (4th). On the other side, Penn State’s defense ranks among the top of the nation in most statistical categories and the Nittany Lions could match up well against the Ducks.
Next week’s game is a massive opportunity for Penn State to make a statement ahead of the college football playoff, and even earn a coveted bye week in the first round of the playoffs.
The Nittany Lions will have to play their best game of the season to knock off the number one Ducks to hoist the Big Ten trophy for the second time in the James Franklin era and the first time for any of the players on Penn State’s 2024 roster.
MORE: Penn State Already Reached Two Program Milestones in 2024
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