For starters, it’s time the Big Ten reconsiders the very name of its conference. Beyond a decade ago, yes, there were 10 teams in the Big Ten. But the big surprise is the conference has expanded to 18 teams. Most recently, the Midwest-based conference with two teams from Michigan, two from Illinois, two from Indiana, and a team each from Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio.
Then came Penn State. Nearly two decades later, Nebraska came during the reshuffling of the Big 12 – a once-thriving conference that is now a shell of itself. Then came Maryland and Rutgers. Finally, the Big 14 welcomed four more teams (Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington), all from the deceased Pac-12.
It’s both sad and exhilarating. Change is strange to the fan who loves traditional rivalries. Predictability is preferable to the change that betrays loyalty and allegiances that have lasted longer than 100 years for many.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy lamented: “They erased 100 years of history.”
Sports fans have short memories. Even those principled folks who are mourning the breakup of regional conferences realize the choice: Stop following the danged sport or keep watching and try to acclimate to the changing landscape of college football.
What do you think Joe Paterno’s reaction would have been if you told him 30 years ago that Penn State will play Oregon in the Big Ten Championship? He would have either dry-gulched you or told you that you were crazy. If JoePa didn’t like the Sherrill’s and Switzer’s of college football, he would have loathed an enemy conference being absorbed into another conference.
What kind of dream would that be? Visiting Joe Paterno in a past season and predict that Oregon and Penn State would someday be in the same conference. Take me back (to the present).
And so it is. The 2024 Big Ten Football Championship is set for Saturday, Dec. 7, from Indianapolis. Television coverage begins at 8 p.m. on the FOX Network.
The last time Penn State (3-1 all-time against Oregon,nplayed in the Big Ten title game was 2016. The Nittany Lions trailed Wisconsin 28-7 but outscored the Badgers 31-3 the rest of the way to win 38-31.
This time, let’s just say that Oregon isn’t/wasn’t Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin flirted with a huge upset when it led 13-6 in the third quarter but eventually lost 16-13. Hence, the Ducks enter Saturday night’s game in Indy with a 12-0 record.
Penn State, which beat Wisconsin 28-13 earlier in the season in Madison, is 11-1. Guess the only loss? Yep, Ohio State. But Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Michigan was the answer to Penn State’s prayer of advancing to the conference championship game.
Thanks Wolverines.
Now, the day before the game with a lot on the line (A Big Ten title and a bye in the 12-team College Football Playoffs). More than that, at least for Penn State, is bragging rights. That would make the Lions perhaps the only team to beat a team in the Rose Bowl and again in a conference championship.
Try to juxtapose that next to the offensive and defensive comparison. Oregon averages nearly 450 yards in total offense. Penn State gives up an average of about 266 yards a game. Believe it or not, advantage Penn State.
As long as PSU head coach James Franklin sent Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell a lifetime supply of something and a Cliff’s Notes scouting report of Wisconsin’s showdown with the Ducks, who were 11-0 after the win.
Maybe Penn State will watch a rebroadcast of Penn State’s 14-10 Fiesta Bowl win over Miami on Jan. 2, 1987.
Because that’s about the kind of game the Nittany Lions will have to play – nearly perfect. And, it might come down to turnovers, just like Jan. 2, 1987.
But honestly, though, you’ll see all kinds of talk about matchups, offensive and defensive strategies, keys to victory, or even intangibles such as Oregon traveling two time zones eastward and knowing it’s the stepchild, even with an undefeated record and favored status (-3.5),
Frankly, who cares who’s favored and the stats of all the key players and should Penn State defer if it wins the opening coin flip. Although, that is an interesting question.
The point is, enjoy the game.
