Penn State-Oregon picks from the ESPN College GameDay crew: How did they pick the Big Ten title game?

No. 3 Penn State is just hours away from taking on No. 1 Oregon in the 2024 Big Ten title game. Kickoff is set for 8:17 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. CBS will televise the contest with its top crew of Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, and Jenny Dell calling the action.

“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,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said this week. “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.

Lions coach James Franklin held his final news conference on Wednesady.

“The thing that really kind of stands out when you look at Oregon is you, want to stay out like everybody does, but you want to stay out of obvious passing situations,” he said.

“You want to stay ahead of the sticks. Starting fast against this type of team is going to be really important. We have to play well for four quarters. You look at them statistically as well on film, they’ve been a dominant football team all year long. Obviously, Ohio State film is good for us. That was a close, competitive game for us and for them.

Picks are in from around the country, including ESPN’s College GameDay crew.

How did the ESPN College GameDay crew pick Penn State-Oregon

Actor Timothée Chalamet is the guest picker this week. The broadcast originated from Atlanta, Ga., before the SEC title game between Texas and Georgia. Here’s how the cast picked the contest:

Kirk Herbstreit: Oregon

Desmond Howard: Oregon

Nick Saban: Oregon

Pat McAfee: Oregon

Guest picker Timothée Chalamet: Oregon

“Drew Allar has the opportunity to take over this game, but when you look at this Oregon team, they are a very violent defensive team,” McAfee said.

“To me, it’s about Penn State’s defense,” Stanford Steve said while picking the Lions to win and cover. “Penn State’s defense has to play well tonight.”

“Oregon, easy,” Howard said.

How did the BWI staff pick the game?

Nate Bauer: PSU: 24, Oregon: 23
Sean Fitz: Oregon: 31, PSU: 24
Thomas Frank Carr: Oregon: 24, PSU: 17
Matt Herb: Oregon: 31, PSU: 17
Greg Pickel: Oregon: 23, PSU: 20
Ryan Snyder: Oregon: 27, PSU: 14

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