Penn State Nittany Lions Reach Their First B1G Title Game
At the beginning of the season, not even the avid Penn State Football fans would have thought this team would have the amount of success that it has had recently. Not only did the team, with its new quarterback of Trace McSorley, beat Ohio State, but it also beat Michigan State—with the help of an Ohio State win over Michigan—to solidify its first appearance in the Big Ten Championship game that will be hosted in Indianapolis, IN.
What is even more remarkable about this team is the way they have been winning. With the exceptions of its loss to the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, overtime win against the Minnesota Gophers, and the upset win of the season against Ohio State, the Nittany Lions have been winning games by outscoring their opponents in tremendous fashion. The chemistry between McSorley and his high-powered wide-out threats, as well as featured running back Saquon Barkley cannot go unnoticed. The average college football spectator could easily think this team has been playing together for years and not just, essentially, six months.
The efforts of the defensive side of the ball deserves its praise, too. With the emergence of senior safety Marcus Allen, the Nittany Lions have created another unit to be prepared for alongside their notorious line of defense in the linebackers.
The B1G Championship Game
Looking forward to the Big Ten Championship, Penn State and the Wisconsin Badgers look evenly matched on paper. Both teams have a record of 10-2. December 3, 2016 will be Penn State’s first Big Ten Championship game since the expansion in 2010; Wisconsin, however, is the more seasoned team in Big Ten Championship games, making this year’s appearance the team’s fourth. Although the game has yet to be played and a victor has yet to hoist a trophy, many fans are talking of “what ifs” in the event Penn State does prevail against the Badgers.
It is the opinion of many that Ohio State still remains the better team of the two and that both the Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines should be able to play in this season’s playoff football game(s). Although college football no longer utilizes the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), the decisions that will be made in the event of a Penn State victory may be strikingly similar to those of the BCS system; a system in which many did not think too highly of. As a result, it goes without saying a lot is on the line for several Big Ten teams, and there will be no shortage of emotion from both players and fans.
The Penn State Nittany Lions will face off against the Wisconsin Badgers on December 3, 2016 at 7:00pm CT in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
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