No. 3 Penn State is gearing up for its greatest take a look at of the season in opposition to No. 1 Oregon within the Massive Ten Championship sport on Saturday (7 p.m. ET, CBS) in Indianapolis. Nittany Lions followers understand how necessary the same old suspects might be on this matchup.
QB Drew Allar, tight finish Tyler Warren, RB Nicholas Singleton and DE Abdul Carter should carry their “A” sport for Penn State — a 3.5-point underdog, per BetMGM.com as of Friday — to have an opportunity of pulling off the upset. However what in regards to the different essential matchups on each side of the ball?
Let’s break down three under-the-radar X components for Penn State (11-1) in opposition to Oregon (12-0).
Omari Evans | large receiver
Penn State’s passing assault is centered on one man, Warren. The star tight finish reeled in 81 catches for 978 yards and 6 touchdowns within the common season. No different Nittany Lions pass-catcher had greater than 35 catches and 579 yards receiving.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has a yr’s price of sport tape displaying him how necessary Warren is to this offense, so the Geese’ defensive preparation this week might be centered on shutting him down and making different pass-catchers beat them.
Harrison Wallace III, the workforce’s second-leading receiver, missed final week’s sport in opposition to Maryland with an undisclosed harm. The junior may not be capable of swimsuit up, and if he does, he will not be working at 100%. That opens up an enormous alternative for Evans, who’s operated primarily as Penn State’s deep risk this season.
Evans leads the workforce in yards per reception (18.8), however that has come on solely 18 catches in 12 video games. The Nittany Lions want Evans to be extra lively within the passing sport Saturday.
