Championship Notes: Transfers to Watch in Saturday’s Title Games

Big Ten Championship, 8:00 EST, CBS- No.3 Penn State vs No.1 Oregon (-3.5)

One undefeated team remains. 

The Oregon Ducks, one of four new Big Ten members, finished unblemished in its first season. 

Led by Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel, the offense that looked smooth as butter under Bo Nix has shown minimal signs of slowing down. 

Under offensive coordinator Will Stein, Gabriel threw for 3,275 yards and 24 touchdowns in the regular season. 

Evan Stewart, a former five-star recruit and Texas A&M transfer, hauled in 48 passes for 613 yards and five scores in his first season with the Ducks. 

Although both teams have shown signs of fireworks on offense, defense will likely be the key to victory in this one. 

AJ Harris transferred from Georgia to Penn State. Harris, the No.2 cornerback coming out of high school, has played lockdown ball for the Nittany Lions while adding 4 passes defended and an interception. 

Opposite him, Jalen Kimber looked solid in his first year with Penn State after transferring from Florida.  

For Oregon, defensive tackle Derrick Harmon has provided a presence on Dan Lanning’s front. The Michigan State transfer tallied 39 total tackles and four sacks from his interior position. 

For each, the No.1 seed in the new 12-team playoff format may lie in the balance. Expect decision making by Gabriel and Penn State QB Drew Allar to be the difference Saturday night.