Penn State’s Keys to Success in Big Ten Championship

Penn State was greeted surprisingly with a spot in the Big Ten Championship after Ohio State was upset at home by the Michigan Wolverines. Penn State took care of business at home with a whopping 44-7 victory at home against Maryland to cap off their pretty favorable schedule. They will now head to Indianapolis to face the Oregon Ducks, an unfamiliar face of the Big Ten who was a new addition this year. Oregon has been the top-ranked team by the Associated Press for a big chunk of time this year and looks to show their dominance against the Nittany Lions on December 7th in Lucas Oil Stadium. Penn State will need to lock in on all aspects of the ball.

In regards to offense, they have had an absolute workhorse with Tyler Warren. He likely will not be winning the hardware, but he should definitely be in the conversation for the Heisman award. The tight end now holds the record for receptions by tight ends in Penn State history and can also be used as a quarterback and/or running back. The running back tandem has a great change of pace with Nick Singleton being the elusive back and Kaytron Allen being more of the smash-mouth football. Drew Allar has held his own and gained respect from many around college football. In terms of the receiver room, there really is no one who has emerged as the true wide receiver one for the team.

Defensively, Penn State has been well-rounded, developing a good pass rush with Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Carter is one of three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the award given to the nation’s top defensive player. The secondary is strong, with their two safeties, Jaylen Reed and Zakee Wheatley, being two of the three top tacklers for the Nittany Lions. The defense will need to contain a talented quarterback in Dillon Gabriel and a talented run game with Jordan James and Tez Johnson leading the wide receiver room. The Oregon Ducks will be the biggest test for the team since hosting the Ohio State Buckeyes at home.