Big Ten championship: Players to know, predictions and more

No. 1 Oregon has been the unquestioned top team in the country for weeks now and still has so much to gain on Saturday.

With a victory over No. 3 Penn State in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis, the Ducks would finish off a 13-0 regular season, win the conference in its first season and lock up the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff, which comes with a first-round bye.

If Penn State wins, the Nittany Lions’ first Big Ten title since 2016, steal the first-round bye from Oregon and force the Ducks to host a playoff game on campus.

Which is to say nothing of helping Penn State coach James Franklin defeat his demons in big games. Here’s what we’re watching in this one.

Players To Watch

Oregon: Matayo Uiagalelei, DE

If Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty didn’t exist, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel would probably be the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. But let’s turn to the other side of the ball here, and to the leader of a Ducks’ defense that’s ninth nationally in points allowed per game (16.2). Uiagalelei was somehow erroneously snubbed by the Big Ten’ coaches for first team all-conference honors, despite leading the league in sacks with 10.5, which also ranks seventh nationally.

Penn State: Tyler Warren, TE

Warren is a contender for the Mackey Award this year for the nation’s top tight end. And he’s a superb pass catcher and blocker, but he does a lot more for the Nittany Lions in Andy Kotelnicki’s unique offense that is full of motions, trickery and smoke and mirrors. We’ve seen Warren run the ball, throw the ball and even snap the ball. He’s totaled 1,167 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns this season. Warren is 10th nationally in receptions with 81 and is definitely a guy that you’ll see playing on Sundays next year.

Staff Picks

Opening Line: Oregon -3.5

Blake Schuster: Penn State +3.5

What if I told you the big game James Franklin finally wins is the only one Penn State didn’t care about?

Mitchell Northam: Oregon -3.5

This is a big game, and James Franklin does not win big games.

Christian D’Andrea: Oregon -3.5

We all know how James Franklin does against top-5 teams.

Michelle Martinelli: Penn State +3.5

Oregon wins and keeps its undefeated season intact, but the Nittany Lions — even in a big game, I know, I know — keep it closer than this.

Tyler Nettuno: Oregon -3.5

The Ducks haven’t really faced a tough test since the win over Ohio State, and there have been a couple instances of shakiness. If Penn State looked just a bit more dangerous, I’d be more intrigued here.