(Photo: Clutchpoints)
Intriguing Game- Big Ten Championship
(3) Penn State Nittany Lions at (1) Oregon Ducks
Penn State: I really do try to give them a fair shot and I do like James Franklin, but I also feel his leash is running short as the Head Coach of this team. Until he can fix up some things up, he’ll still run into the same issues on a yearly basis. They’re Michigan before the Wolverines corrected the issue and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are in the same boat. These Nittany Lions are built for success everywhere else on the roster as they have strong Running Backs, the best Tight End in the country in Tyler Warren, and one of the best defenses in the country. To this day, they still get inconsistent play from the Quarterback and until they fix that problem, they will continue to fall short and lose to the upper-echelon teams in the Big Ten. Since we’re on the subject of Quarterbacks, I must say I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen from Drew Allar this year. During the regular season, Drew threw 18 touchdown passes and only five interceptions which means he’s been taking care of the ball, something he’s struggled to do in previous seasons. He and Tyler Warren have become one of the elite duos in the country. Another thing that continues to hold them back is their struggles against top opponents. Ohio State has owned them since 2017 and counting and even Michigan when they’re clicking has beaten them. Tomorrow night, they will play in their second-ever Big Ten title game in Indianapolis.
Oregon: What a way to introduce yourself to a new conference. In their final season in the Pac-12 a year ago, they lost two games, both to the Washington Huskies. After Bo Nix becomes a Denver Bronco, Dillon Gabriel comes over from Oklahoma through the transfer portal and he’s been exactly what this football team has needed. Whenever I think of Oregon football, I think of the prolific offenses they’ve had over the years. Now, they aren’t the run-and-gun group they were under Chip Kelly as they are more efficient and know how to pick their spots and still attack defenses but this time, with more balance. In his first year in Eugene, Dillon has led the conference in completion percentage and passing yards along with 24 touchdowns to six interceptions. Also, he has a great offensive nucleus around him with Jordan James, Ted Johnson, Evan Stewart, and Terrance Ferguson. The scary thing is you never know which of these guys he’s going to get the football to, so if you’re open, you are getting the ball. With all that firepower offensively, they are one of the more formidable units in the country. They have been one of the two best teams in college football that I have seen all year long with the Texas Longhorns being the other. They will make their debut in the Big Ten title game tomorrow night against Penn State.
Penn State X-Factor: Abdul Carter– I can watch him over and over again whether it’s on film or in actual game footage. He is a clone of Micah Parsons because of the versatility he displays and how he’s able to rush the passer from either the edge or the middle up the a gap. Abdul is the next great defender in the NFL and his future is so bright. His instincts to sit, read, and then react amaze me for someone at the college level. Abdul leads and this Penn State defense will follow.
Oregon X-Factor: Tez Johnson– I mentioned him being a part of the Oregon offensive nucleus. He is one of the best playmakers not just in the conference, but in the country. Tea is a dynamic playmaker who can get open and do damage with the football in his hands. He reminds me a lot of Tank Dell of the Houston Texans with his ability to start and stop, move around, and free himself. Tez puts on a clinic when it comes to making tacklers miss in the open field.
Final Thoughts: We have some new faces here in Indianapolis this year! One team is back for the first time since 2016 and the other in their first season is making their Big Ten debut. Penn State should be profusely thanking the Michigan Wolverines for handling their business against Ohio State because the Buckeyes owned the tiebreaker over them and with Michigan playing spoiler, that’s how they are here paying for the conference title. There are quite a few matchups I’m watching in this game with the first being this Penn State pass rush against Gabriel. Dillon is so quick and elusive in the pocket and he can get the ball out of his hands so quickly. Tomorrow night, he might have to release the ball even sooner with the heat he’s going to see. On the other side, Oregon also has a stingy defense that Drew Allar is going to see. This will be a major opportunity for Drew to prove he can play against the elite defenses in the nation. Is this the night James Franklin gets just his second win against a top-five opponent? Oregon will remain undefeated. I like the Ducks tomorrow night.
Prediction: Oregon 34, Penn State 21
