It's Penn State-Oregon Big Ten title game week: Game time, spread, channel, streaming info, storylines, more

Happy Big Ten title game week, Penn State fans! The No. 4 Nittany Lions (11-1) play their first game of the 2024 postseason on Saturday when they take on No. 1 Oregon (12-0) in the league title game. It is the Ducks first trip to it as a conference newcomers, of course. And, it’s PSU’s first time in it since 2016.

“It’s a quick turnaround for us playing last night, but certainly excited about the opportunity to go compete against a great team in Penn State,” Ducks coach Dan Lanning said in his opening statement Sunday. “I know our players were really excited about it. This has been a fun season for us. But, there’s some real challenges that [Penn State] presents now. I think we talk about trying to play your best ball at the end of season. And, that’s the position that we’re in right now. But we’re going against the team that’s playing really good ball as well.

Get ready for Lions-Ducks with our early game preview.

Time and TV info

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m ET on CBS. The network’s top crew of Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, and Jenny Dell will be on the call.

What is the Penn State-Oregon spread?

Oregon is a 3.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel. The over/under is 50.5 points.

Game week schedule for the Lions

Penn State will have a somewhat regular schedule. But, the news conference plan will likely be altered some due to Signing Day being held on Wednesday. Head coach James Franklin will not meet with reporters Monday at Beaver Stadium after doing so Sunday. It’s unclear if he will speak Wednesday afternoon or in his usual post-practice spot Holuba Hall. There is not a Penn State Coaches Show this week. It’s unclear if an assistant coach will speak with reporters earlier that day. A media practice viewing window is set for Wednesday night. And, players will hold ZOOM call with reporters Tuesday.

What’s up with Oregon?

Oregon is the only remaining unbeaten team in the country. It smoked Washington to close out its regular season. The Ducks beat the Buckeyes by one point earlier this year. It won nine games by double digits.

Ducks passer Dillon Gabriel is up for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell awards, which go to the nation’s top quarterback and best player on offense, respectively. He is a star and directs the Oregon offense. Jordan James is the Bellcow running back. Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart are the top receivers. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher is up for the Burslworth Award, which goes to the nation’s best player who started his career as a walk-on, and is the leading tackler.

This is a very talented team from top to bottom. Like the Lions, it has a top-10 defense and an offense that ranks inside of the top 20, but in the back half of it, nationally.

Weather report

Lucas Oil Stadium is a dome, of course, so weather will not be a factor for the game. However, for those traveling to Indianapolis, current weather conditions call for cold, cloudy, and dry conditions on Saturday. The high is 34 degrees, and the low is 24 degrees.

Early Penn State-Oregon storylines

–Top guard Marcus Harper was out last week for Oregon and will be questionable, at best, for the Big Ten title game. We’ll see what Dan Lanning says about his status throughout the week.

–Is all good on the injury front for the Nittany Lions? Penn State guard Vega Ioane left the game but did return. Backup linebacker DaKaari Nelson was banged up, as well. Also, top receiver Trey Wallace was out Saturday despite warming up. Will he be back Saturday?

–Will the Lions’ offense be able to consistently produce against a very talented and rangy Oregon defense? It might be the first one capable of actually taking Tyler Warren out of a game, even if that hardly seems possible after 12 regular season games.

–What surprises will each team scheme up for the other? We know some are coming from both sides as each looks to secure a first round bye.