Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel arrived in Indianapolis in July with a goal in mind. He wanted to get a feel for what Lucas Oil Stadium was like before hopefully returning in December.
Now, on Saturday, he will be back on that same field.
A lot has changed for Gabriel and the Ducks since their first visit for the Big Ten media day months ago. No. 1 Oregon is leading the playoff rankings, remains the only undefeated team in major college football, and Gabriel has earned the title of Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
It’s been an ideal season for the nearly 24-year-old Gabriel, especially as he leads the Ducks into the conference championship game he had hoped for.
“If we didn’t think we’d be there, I wouldn’t have attended,” Gabriel said. “But I just felt really good about it. I was glad we were able to go see it (Lucas Oil), feel it, smell it. It was a good experience. Now that we’re going back with the whole squad, everyone’s excited.”
Winning a conference title in his final season—and Oregon’s first season in its new league—would be a perfect ending for Gabriel, especially since both teams are almost guaranteed a spot in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
The winner of the game will likely earn a first-round bye, while the loser will probably host a first-round game. There is a lot of money on the line: The Big Ten will get $4 million for each school that makes the CFP, with the payouts rising to $6 million per school starting with the semifinals. A school that makes it all the way to the title game could earn $20 million. The CFP also provides millions to cover expenses.
While Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, No. 1 CFP) was expected to be back in Indianapolis this weekend, No. 3 Penn State wasn’t supposed to be there after losing to then-No. 4 Ohio State.
However, the Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1, No. 3 CFP) bounced back by winning their last four games and got some help when Michigan beat the Buckeyes last weekend. This is the first time Penn State has made it to the Big Ten championship since they won against Wisconsin in 2016, and they don’t plan to leave without the title this time.
“Being from Pennsylvania, seeing that game from 2016, like I always imagined being in these shoes, being in that moment, trying to win a Big Ten championship,” running back Nick Singleton said. “Being in that moment right now feels good, but we’ve got to go out there and win it.”
Gabriel agreed.
“When you walk in that building everyone is excited to do stuff and ready to go,” he said. “So it’s about execution, playing clean and being who we are.”
