Without a doubt, one of the top college football players is Abdul Carter, the standout edge rusher for Penn State. Ahead of this weekend’s Big Ten championship game, Oregon is well aware of that.
For the Nittany Lions to defeat the nation’s top squad, Carter will need to perform at his peak.At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Penn State and Oregon will square off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the conference title and a College Football Playoff first-round bye.
Carter will be one of several prospective stars playing in the same stadium that hosts the NFL scouting combine. However, draft analysts consider Carter, a potential top-five choice, to be the most highly regarded NFL talent on the rosters of Penn State and Oregon.
Carter, who switched from linebacker to defensive end for the first time this season, has been extremely disruptive. The junior is ranked second among FBS edge rushers with at least 400 snaps with a pass-rushing grade of 91.4 on Pro Football Focus. Among all FBS players, he ranks third with 19 1/2 tackles for loss. Additionally, since 2015, no Penn State player has recorded as many sacks as he has.
Carter passes the eye test each and every time he takes the field, regardless of the numbers. He has always had a special blend of power, speed, and explosiveness, which is one of the main reasons he was predicted to be selected in the first round of the 2024 draft.
However, following the position move, Carter has improved his edge technique over the past month or two while still displaying his natural ability to attack the quarterback and create havoc in the backfield, which Oregon’s players have noticed during film sessions.
QB Dillon Gabriel claimed on Monday that he causes chaos. He is a player who causes trouble. incredibly athletic. However, I also think it’s quite amazing how he can go from being very physical to being nimble with his quickness. Like anything else, though, we have a great deal of faith in our guys. Additionally, we are aware that we will be up against a very strong team. It’s a title match.
Terrance Ferguson, a tight end, adding, “He’s a really good player.” He is extremely irritable and hostile. He is an excellent pass rusher who avoids blockers. We are keeping an eye on him.
The Ducks’ offensive line will be a tough test for the standout edge rusher and the rest of Penn State’s defense line, even though Carter will be a challenge for Oregon.
With just 43 TFLs and 12 sacks given up this season, Oregon is ranked fifth and thirteenth in the FBS, respectively. Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, and the Buckeyes’ renowned pass rush failed to sack Gabriel during the Ducks’ October victory over Ohio State. The Ducks have only given up two sacks in their last four games.
This is due to several factors. Gabriel has two excellent receivers to target, Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson, and he gets the ball out fast. The ground game of Oregon and running back Jordan James are sufficient to keep defenders off-balance. Additionally, the Ducks have decided on an offensive line after rearranging it somewhat earlier in the season. Josh Conerly Jr. and Ajani Cornelius, their tackles, are two of the Big Ten’s best blockers.
It will be interesting to observe how Oregon handles Carter. However, other players on Penn State’s defensive line, particularly a now-healthy Dani Dennis-Sutton, could benefit if the Ducks make stopping Carter their top priority.
Dvon J-Thomas, a defensive tackle for Penn State, stated that teams must plan for Abdul Carter’s chippers and send a slide in that direction. When a team must concentrate on a player like that, it indicates that they are lacking in other areas. From that, we have been able to generate opportunities. He has therefore played a key role in our defensive line’s success this season.
Additionally, Carter will play a key role in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday night.
Stories by
Johnny McGonigal
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