No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1) vs. No. 1 Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten)
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When:
Saturday, Dec. 7
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Time:
5 p.m. PT
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Where:
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
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TV channel:
CBS
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Stream:
You canwatch this game live for FREE with Fubo
(free trial) or
with DirecTV Stream
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watch this game on cbssports.com
.
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On Saturday, November 2, 2024, in State College, Pennsylvania, Penn State head coach James Franklin responds during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game versus Ohio State.Photo by Barry Reeger/AP
This season, Penn State:
In nonconference play, the Nittany Lions defeated Kent State, barely defeated Bowling Green, and opened with a victory at West Virginia. At its second bye, Penn State was 6-0 thanks to competitive victories at USC, UCLA, and Illinois. Although Minnesota came very close two weeks ago, the one negative mark on the schedule is another close defeat to Ohio State with questionable red zone play-calling.
Andy Kotelnicki, the first-year coordinator who joined Penn State after three years at Kansas, has the offense running smoothly. Tyler Warren is the nation’s top tight end, and Drew Allar is more accurate and effective.
Thanks in large part to standout edge rusher Abdul Carter, former Indiana coach Tom Allen is leading a defense that is in the top 10 in almost every significant metric.
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, in West Lafayette, Indiana, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game. (Photo courtesy of Michael Conroy)AP
QB Drew Allar is an impact player.
With 67 carries for 225 yards and five touchdowns and 71.6% of his throws completed for 2,668 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions, Allar is having his greatest season yet. His situational splits have all improved from the previous season, and the junior has been his most accurate. In addition to passing for 391 yards and throwing three interceptions in the victory over USC, he hasn’t thrown an interception since the defeat against Ohio State.
In the third quarter on September 23, 2023, Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa defends while Penn State tight end Tyler Warren hauls in a 7-yard score.
[email protected] Joe [email protected] Joe Hermitt
Impact player: Tyler Warren, a tight end
Warren is by far the finest tight end in the nation, with 21 carries for 189 yards and four touchdowns and 81 receptions for 978 yards and six touchdowns. Very few defenses have been able to lessen his influence.
On November 2, 2024, in the second quarter, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard throws a pass for a first down while avoiding Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter.
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DE Abdul Carter is an impact player.
Among his 54 tackles (19.5 for loss), 10 sacks, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles, Carter is a contender for national defensive player of the year. This season, he has recorded multiple sacks in four games and a TFL in nine.
On September 28, 2024, in the second quarter, Penn State linebacker Kobe King stuffs Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer.
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Player with an impact: LB Kobe King
King, a disruptive second-level defender, has three sacks, one pass breakup, and 62 tackles (7.5 for loss).
On September 28, 2024, Penn State safety Jaylen Reed celebrates a sack in the fourth quarter.
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Player with an impact: S. Jaylen Reed
Reed, one of the top safety players in the Big Ten, leads Penn State in tackles (75). In addition to 1.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss, he has three interceptions and two pass breakups.
Were you aware?
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Penn State leads the all-time series 3-1, with the last meeting coming in the 1995 Rose Bowl, a 38-20 Nittany Lions win. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule played and Rutgers coach Greg Schiano coached at Penn State in that Rose Bowl game.
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Special teams coordinator Joe Lorig not only worked at Penn State from 2019-21, he lived with James Franklin when they worked together at Idaho State in 1999.
Level of threat (from lowest to highest): 5
Now that the postseason has begun, the competition will be of a very high standard. Even though Penn State’s offense lacks a lot of offensive power, especially at receiver, Tyler Warren is a matchup nightmare who more than makes up for it. Abdul Carter may be the best defensive player in the nation, and the PSU defense is genuinely outstanding. Penn State’s offense and Oregon’s defense should mesh well, but dominance might not be in order. Dillon Gabriel might be under a lot of pressure, especially if Oregon loses to a superb run defense and doesn’t stay on schedule. However, the Nittany Lions will struggle if the Ducks establish the run and maintain the short and intermediate passing game.
Early forecast: Penn State 21; Oregon 28
Reading before the game:
Dan Lanning: The number one Oregon football team’s participation in the Big Ten Championship game has far more advantages than disadvantages.
Ten things to remember from Oregon football’s victory over Washington
In the Big Ten Championship game, No. 1 Oregon football is favored over No. 4 Penn State.
–The Oregon Ducks and Big Ten are covered by James Crepea. Get the Ducks Roundup email or listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast.
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