The waiting is nearly over and Penn State’s chance for a Big Ten championship is approaching. All that stands between James Franklin, Tyler Warren, Abdul Carter, and the program’s second Big Ten title in the conference championship era is the only undefeated team in the land, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks. This is a big one, for sure!
Penn State and Oregon will meet on Saturday night in Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship as the Ducks look to polish off a 13-0 run to the Big Ten championship in its first season in the conference, while Penn State looks to clear a hurdle it has struggled to do on a number of occasions against top-tier competition. But in a year of college football like we have seen, why can’t Oregon take a loss to Penn State? It certainly would not be a shock to the world situation if Penn State were to come out on top of the Big Ten championship game. The point spread is sitting at 3.5 points in favor of Oregon and has not moved all week. So what do you think Penn State fans?
Will the Nittany Lions be celebrating this weekend on its way to the College Football Playoff? Our staff weighs in with our thoughts and final score predictions for the Big Ten championship game before the conference championship weekend gets underway.
Shayne: Penn State gets their first chance at a Big Ten Championship since 2016 this week against Oregon, the last unbeaten team in FBS. Oregon is obviously a very tough opponent for anyone, but Penn State has struggled in games like this under James Franklin. The defense will likely keep them in it for much of the game, but ultimately I think Oregon is the better team and will take home a Big Ten title in their first season in conference.
Oregon 27, Penn State 20
Charlie: I love Penn State’s defense and its offense is significantly better than it was last season. However, Penn State just has not won this magnitude of game during James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State. Franklin is 1-13 against top-five competition. For a perennial top 10 team that record won’t cut it. Penn State can buck that trend at anytime and they have the talent to beat Oregon on Saturday, even if the offense doesn’t play great. The defense could carry the team to a Big Ten title. As it was against Ohio State last month, until Penn State proves me wrong and wins a “big game” I just can’t pick them to upset the No. 1 team in the country.
Oregon 23, Penn State 16
Kevin: I did share my official prediction with our friends at Ducks Wire this week, and I will not back away from that. This is a game that will absolutely be winnable for Penn State thanks to a strong defensive effort. My only concern is whether or not the offense can take advantage of some key moments to generate some enthusiasm against a solid Oregon defense. Slow starts have been concerning for Penn State at times this season as well, and we saw the offense clam up close to the end zone against the best team on the schedule so far, Ohio State.
I do think Oregon holds the upper hand for the majority of the game, but a strong surge in the second half by Penn State gives the Nittany Lions a terrific fighting chance for a Big Ten title. Alas, I do think Oregon walks away with a close win to celebrate its first Big Ten championship and goes to the College Football Playoff as the top overall seed, while Penn State will get a chance to rebound with a home game in the first round.
Oregon 26, Penn State 23
Penn State and Oregon meet in the 2024 Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS. Follow us for continuing coverage as Penn State competes for a Big Ten title and enters the College Football Playoff.
