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
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watch this game on cbssports.com
.
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Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pa.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.
Allar is having his best season, completing 71.6% of his passes for 2,668 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions and 67 carries for 225 yards and five scores. His situational splits have all improved from the previous season, and the junior has been his most accurate. He threw three interceptions in the win at USC while also passing for 391 yards, and hasn t thrown an interception since the loss to Ohio State.
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren hauls in a 7-yard touchdown as Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa defends during the third quarter on Sept. 23, 2023.
[email protected] Joe [email protected] Joe Hermitt
Impact player: TE Tyler Warren
By far the best tight end in the country, Warren has 81 receptions for 978 yards and six touchdowns as well as 21 carries for 189 yards and four scores. Few opposing defenses have been able to limit his impact at all.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard avoids Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter to throw a pass for a first down during the second quarter on Nov. 2, 2024.
[email protected] Joe HermittPennLive
Impact player: DE Abdul Carter
A national defensive player of the year candidate, Carter has 54 tackles (19.5 for loss) with 10 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He s had a TFL in nine games this season and multiple sacks in four games.
Penn State linebacker Kobe King stuffs Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer during the second quarter on Sept. 28, 2024.
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Impact player: LB Kobe King
Disruptive second-level defender, King has 62 tackles (7.5 for loss) with three sacks and one pass breakup.
Penn State safety Jaylen Reed celebrates a sack during the fourth quarter on Sept. 28, 2024.
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Impact player: S Jaylen Reed
Penn State s leading tackler (75), Reed is one of the best safeties in the Big Ten. He has three interceptions and two pass breakups and has 4.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks.
Did you know?
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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.
Threat level (1 lowest to 5 highest): 5
The postseason has arrived and the caliber of competition is going to be high from here on out. Penn State s offense may not have a ton of firepower, particularly at receiver, but Tyler Warren is a matchup nightmare and makes up for a lot. The PSU defense is legitimately excellent and Abdul Carter might be the best defensive player in the country. Oregon s defense should matchup well with Penn State s offense, but dominance may not be in order. Dillon Gabriel could face a lot of pressure, particularly if Oregon does not stay on schedule against an exceptional run defense. But if the Ducks establish the run and keep the short and intermediate passing game available, the Nittany Lions are going to have a harder time.
Early prediction:Oregon 28, Penn State 21
Pregame reading:
Dan Lanning: A lot more pros than cons for No. 1 Oregon football playing in Big Ten Championship game
10 takeaways from No. 1 Oregon football s win over Washington
No. 1 Oregon football favored over No. 4 Penn State in Big Ten Championship game
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