Penn State faces a daunting task against unbeaten No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game, but the Nittany Lions have several key strategies to take down the Ducks.
First and foremost, controlling Oregon’s elite pass rush will be crucial. The Ducks’ defensive line has been hot, with senior defensive end Jordan Burch recording 2.5 sacks in their last game against Washington. Penn State’s offense must protect quarterback Drew Allar and Beau Pribula from this formidable unit.
The Nittany Lions’ new right tackle, Nolan Rucci, will face a significant challenge in slowing Oregon’s multi-faceted pass rush. To counter this, Penn State must execute its defensive plan carefully and be prepared to adjust as needed.
In addition to containing the Ducks’ pass rush, limiting Oregon’s yards after catch is also essential. The Ducks have a dynamic offense led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who has racked up 3,275 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. Penn State’s run defense is among the nation’s best, but it will need to be flawless in tackling receivers like Jordan James.
To get Oregon off the field, Penn State must bring down players like James on Gabriel’s checkdowns and put them into third-and-long situations. This approach has been successful for Penn State in the past, as seen in their 16-13 win over Wisconsin.
Ultimately, Penn State’s success against Oregon will depend on its ability to slow down Gabriel and his receiving corps. The Nittany Lions must be poised and prepared to adapt to the Ducks’ offense, which is known for being difficult to plan for.
The Big Ten Championship Game between Penn State and Oregon kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Source: https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-vs-oregon-keys-to-the-big-ten-title-game-01jech5c6n6t