Oregon football vs. Penn State preview: Big Ten championship game filled with intriguing matchups

The Oregon offensive line vs. Abdul Carter. The Oregon defense vs. Tyler Warren. Dan Lanning vs. James Franklin.

As with so many highly ranked, conference championship tilts, Saturday’s Big Ten championship game between No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State has no shortage of intriguing matchups. And to the winner, the spoils of a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

Both teams will make the playoff field, but there is plenty on the line Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Big Ten championship: No. 1 Oregon (12-0) vs. No. 3 Penn State (11-1)

When: Saturday, Dec. 7

Time: 5 p.m. PT

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Coaches: Dan Lanning, third year (34-5) vs. James Franklin, 11th year (99-40)

Latest line: Ducks by 3.5 (odds via FanDuel)

TV channel: CBS

Stream: You can watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to watch this game on cbssports.com.

Oregon uniform combination: Black jerseys, black pants, green helmets.

What’s at stake: The winner of Saturday’s conference championship will receive a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff and a trip to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. The loser will still make the playoff, and likely host a first-round game on their campus Dec. 20 or 21.

Oregon offense vs. Penn State defense

The Penn State defense is formidable and highly physical, led by superstar pass rusher Abdul Carter. It has a lot of similarities to Oregon’s defense, which could either bode well for Dillon Gabriel and company or be their undoing, depending on how you look at it. Practicing against a group of this caliber helps, but it only goes so far. Carter will be hunting for Gabriel all night.

What will be key for the Ducks offense is finding balance and creative ways to attack the Nittany Lions, who rank 7th in passing yards allowed and 7th in rushing yards allowed. An obvious weak point isn’t readily apparent.

The same could be said for this explosive group of Oregon playmakers, though, led by the now-healthy Tez Johnson and bellcow back Jordan James. It’s good vs. good in this particular 11-on-11 matchup on Saturday, so which group will rise to the top?

Oregon defense vs. Penn State offense

Where the game could turn Oregon’s way is with its defense on the field. Penn State is less of a threat through the air, beyond getting the ball to all-world tight end Tyler Warren. This is a run-first team. And while Drew Allar is efficient, he isn’t relied upon nearly as much as Gabriel is for the Ducks.

Forcing Penn State into difficult passing situations by shutting down the run will be key for Oregon’s defense. And not allowing Warren to take over the game by finding empty spaces in the secondary could be the difference between a close game and a potentially lop-sided scoreline. The Ducks’ front seven has proven its ability to stop the run, and will need to do so again.

Matchup to watch: Oregon’s offensive line vs. Abdul Carter

What Dan Lanning said: “You line up against who they put in the bracket. At the end of the day, you got to win your games to get to the end. Obviously there’s benefit to having more time to prepare for an opponent and you should have a benefit if you go and win your conference championship game. There’s definitely a huge advantage there of putting yourself a step closer to the end-all goal.”

Key stat: Carter had 10 sacks this season. But Oregon’s Matayo Uiagalelei had more with 10.5.

Prediction: Oregon 30, Penn State 27

• Oregon Ducks football 2024 season schedule, scores
• Sign up for The Ducks Beat newsletter

— Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference. Listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup newsletter.