What Penn State Football Must Do to Stop Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel in Big Ten Championship Game

In just a few short days, Penn State Football will travel to Indianapolis to play a game they never thought was possible a week ago.

It seemed more like a fantasy than reality that the Nittany Lions would have any chance of making the Big Ten Championship Game after losing to Ohio State. Still, Michigan helped out Penn State, and now they get to add another game to their schedule.

While the Nittany Lions get to play an extra game, it will be challenging because they are taking on new Big Ten rival Oregon, who didn’t lose a game in the regular season.

The Ducks’ success came from star quarterback transfer Dillon Gabriel, who has started for six seasons, three at UCF and two for Oklahoma.

According to Pro Football Focus, the 23-year-old quarterback likes to get the ball out quickly, throwing for an average depth of target of 7.0 yards, which is T-155th among FBS quarterbacks.

Oregon’s offense is all about speed on the outside from some of its wide receivers, Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart. Gabriel likes to get the ball into his wide receivers’ hands and let them go to work.

The Ducks have an incredible offensive line, and in the Ohio State game two months ago, Gabriel had all day,  throwing for 341 yards and two scores.

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What Penn State Football Must Do to Slow Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel

Penn State will have to bring different looks from the defensive line and blitz packages to make Gabriel uncomfortable, and if they can’t do it, Oregon will win.

The Nittany Lions might have the second-best defense Gabriel faced all season, with the Buckeyes being first. That game was at home, where he had an advantage, but this time, playing on a neutral site where there should be more Penn State fans could cause issues for the sixth-year quarterback.

If Penn State can set the tone early and show Oregon they won’t be giving up the short, easy passes and making them go downfield, the Nittany Lions have a great chance of winning this matchup.

Oregon might come out tight, knowing they have to win this game to get the first overall seed, a bye, and to win the Big Ten in their first season to set a tone they will take over the conference.

MORE: How Penn State Can Clinch No. 1 Seed in The College Football Playoff