No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State will meet at Lucas Oil Stadium in a Big Ten Championship Game matchup few may have predicted this season. After all, the Big Ten has lengthy been a convention dominated by Ohio State and Michigan, and when the league dropped divisions, most had been sure these can be the 2 packages reaching this sport.
Instead, it is an Oregon program navigating the Big Ten for the primary time — a program that occurs to be the one undefeated FBS crew remaining. Standing between the Ducks and a Big Ten title is a Penn State crew that was largely written off as a Big Ten contender after dropping to Ohio State earlier within the season.
The Nittany Lions have lengthy been labeled a program unable to recover from the hump. Well, Michigan removed that hump for them final week.
While each groups are firmly entrenched within the CFP’s 12-team area, the No. 1 seed and a bye is reachable for each. If Oregon wins, it’s going to stay at No. 1, and Penn State may bounce to No. 1 with a win over the Ducks even when No. 2 Texas beats Georgia.
In different phrases, there’s a complete hell of lots to play for in Indianapolis Saturday night time.
Follow together with LIVE updates as Oregon and Penn State conflict for the Big Ten Championship.
How to observe Oregon vs. Penn State stay
Date: Saturday, December 7 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, IN
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
Oregon vs. Penn State: Need to know
Oregon may do one thing solely Michigan State has finished earlier than: With a win on this sport, Oregon would boast victories over Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State in the identical season. All of their first yr within the Big Ten! Only one different program has finished that, and it is Michigan State. The humorous half? Michigan State has finished it 5 occasions! Most lately in 2015, however the Spartans did it in 1951, 1965, 1966 and 1999 as properly. Remember, Penn State did not be a part of the league till 1993, so these first thrice included nonconference video games.
Oregon is one among 5 groups to succeed in the convention championship in its first season in a brand new league this yr: It appears there’s worth in unfamiliarity? The new blood throughout the nation has discovered loads of success of their new houses this season. Arizona State (Big 12), Army (American), SMU (ACC) and Texas (SEC) are all taking part in in convention title video games this week after becoming a member of their new leagues this season.
Penn State is 4-12 all-time towards the No. 1 crew within the AP Top 25: I do know 4-12 does not appear to be a great file, however take note No. 1 groups do not lose fairly often. That’s why they’re No. 1. Winning 25% of these 16 video games is best than most packages. While the Nittany Lions have loved success, there hasn’t been a lot currently. The final win over a No. 1 crew got here in 1990 towards Notre Dame. They have not finished it since becoming a member of the Big Ten.
Oregon vs. Penn State prediction, picks
I’ve seen loads of shock from followers and media alike that Oregon is barely a 3.5-point favourite within the sport, however the unfold is smart to me. There’s far an excessive amount of consideration paid to Penn State’s incapacity to beat Ohio State and it overshadows the actual fact the Nittany Lions are a genuinely good crew! But if I’m taking a aspect on this sport, I’m going with the Ducks. While each groups are evenly-matched throughout the board, there’s one spot that Oregon has an enormous benefit: at receiver. Penn State’s complete passing assault is constructed by way of Tyler Warren, and he is superior, however what if Oregon takes him away? What’s the counter? Oregon has loads of choices, and it needs to be sufficient to make the distinction. Pick: Oregon -3.5
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