Penn State and Oregon are days away from squaring off in the Big Ten championship game. The Nittany Lions and Ducks are playing for conference bragging rights, as well as a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff — and possibly the No. 1 overall seed.

Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the Big Ten defensive player of the year, has been a menace around the edge this season, racking up career-highs with 10 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. Oregon’s offense is well aware of the threat he presents on the defensive line.

The No. 1 Oregon Ducks capped an undefeated regular season with a thrashing of rival Washington on Saturday. Next up? A Big Ten championship game tilt with Penn State. Some in the sports media sphere think Oregon would benefit from a loss in this game to ease their hypothetical path in the College Football Playoff.