Dillon Gabriel leads No. 1 Oregon against No. 3 Penn State for Big Ten title with both eyeing CFP

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel came to Indianapolis in July with a purpose. He desired a sense of what Lucas Oil Stadium was like before making what he hoped would be a return trip in December.

On Saturday, he’ll be back on the same turf.

Plenty has changed for Gabriel and the Ducks since they came to town for their inaugural Big Ten media day appearance. No. 1 Oregon sits atop the playoff seedings, remains the last unbeaten team in major college football, and Gabriel has a new title — Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

It’s been a dream season for the soon-to-be 24-year-old Gabriel, leading the Ducks into the conference championship game he has been anticipating.

“If we didn’t think we’d be there, I wouldn’t have attended,” Gabriel said. “But I just felt really good about it. I was glad we were able to go see it, feel it, smell it. It was a good experience. Now that we’re going back with the whole squad, everyone’s excited.”

Winning a conference title in his final season — and Oregon’s first season in its new league — would be the cherry on top for Gabriel, as both teams are virtually locks to make the first 12-team College Football Playoff.

The winner is likely to earn a first-round bye, while the loser probably hosts a first-round game. There is significant money at stake: The Big Ten stands to earn $4 million for each school that makes the CFP, with escalating payouts beginning with the semifinals to $6 million per school. A conference that has a school progress from the first round to the title game could earn $20 million. The CFP also provides millions to cover expenses.

While Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, No. 1 CFP) was a preseason favorite to be back in town this weekend, No. 3 Penn State wasn’t expected to make it after losing to then-No. 4 Ohio State.

However, the Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1, No. 3 CFP) rebounded by winning their last four games and received help last weekend when Michigan upset the Buckeyes. This is the first time Penn State has reached a Big Ten championship title game since defeating Wisconsin in 2016, and they are determined not to leave empty-handed this time.

“Being from Pennsylvania, seeing that game from 2016, I always imagined being in these shoes, in that moment, trying to win a Big Ten championship,” running back Nick Singleton said. “Being in that moment right now feels good, but we’ve got to go out there and win it.”

Gabriel echoed those sentiments, stating, “When you walk in that building, everyone is excited to do stuff and ready to go. So it’s about execution, playing clean, and being who we are.”

Though Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and Gabriel are ranked seventh and eighth in FBS passing efficiency this season, both could be under serious pressure on Saturday.

Defensive ends Matayo Uiagalelei of Oregon and Abdul Carter of Penn State are two of the nation’s premier pass rushers. Uiagalelei is tied for ninth nationally with 10.5 sacks while Carter is tied for 12th with 10. The Ducks also have another formidable pass rusher in defensive end Jordan Burch (8.5).

This matchup will be a significant challenge for both offensive lines, especially if Oregon right guard Marcus Harper II is sidelined due to a knee injury.

Penn State certainly isn’t complaining about playing for a trophy, but it did create a scramble in their schedule.

It began when coach James Franklin made an unexpected announcement in last Saturday’s postgame speech, declaring that Sunday’s scheduled off-day would be scrapped to allow the team to start preparing for Oregon. This was just the beginning of a revised strategy.

“It was going to be a week for rest and recovery, some strategic practices,” Franklin explained. “But we always have to be prepared for different scenarios. So right after the game, I told them, ‘We’re going to practice Sunday.’ Now it’s back to a normal week.”

Franklin will be pursuing his 100th win in his 11 seasons with the program. And he could be doing it surrounded by familiar faces.

Oregon special teams coordinator and nickel back coach Joe Lorig first worked with Franklin at Idaho State and was hired by Franklin in 2019. After three seasons, however, Lorig moved to the West Coast to work for another old friend, Oregon coach Dan Lanning.

Franklin believes Lorig’s inside information may not significantly impact the game.

“The coordinators have all changed,” Franklin noted. “So I think we both probably have a similar amount of information on each other.”

The game also holds a personal connection for Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen and injured Oregon offensive lineman Matthew Bedford. Allen is an Indiana native who spent the previous seven seasons as the Indiana head coach, while Bedford was a five-year starter for Allen’s Hoosiers.

Additionally, the Duzansky family is having a special moment on Saturday: Penn State long snapper Tyler Duzansky and Oregon long snapper Nick Duzansky are brothers.