Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel came to Indianapolis in July with a purpose. He wanted a sense of what Lucas Oil Stadium was like before making what he hoped would be a return trip in December.

Today, he’ll be back on the same turf.

Plenty has changed for Gabriel and the Ducks since they came to town all those months ago for their inaugural Big Ten media day appearance. No. 1 Oregon sits atop the playoff seedings, remains the last unbeaten team in major college football and Gabriel has a new title — Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

It’s been a dream season in every way for the soon-to-be 24-year-old Gabriel, right down to leading the Ducks into the conference championship game he’s been expecting.

“If we didn’t think we’d be there, I wouldn’t have attended,” Gabriel said. “But I just felt really good about it. I was glad we were able to go see it (Lucas Oil), feel it, smell it. It was a good experience. Now that we’re going back with the whole squad, everyone’s excited.”

Winning a conference title in his final season — and Oregon’s first season in its new league — would be the cherry on top for Gabriel now that both teams are virtual locks to make the first 12-team College Football Playoff.

The winner likely earns a first-round bye, while the loser probably hosts a first-round game. There is big money at stake: The Big Ten stands to get $4 million for each school that makes the CFP and the payouts escalate beginning with the semifinals to $6 million per school; a conference whose school makes a run from the first round to the title game gets $20 million. The CFP also provides millions to cover expenses.

While Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, No. 1 CFP) was a preseason favorite to be back in town this weekend, No. 3 Penn State wasn’t supposed to make it after losing to then-No. 4 Ohio State.

But the Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1, No. 3 CFP) rebounded by winning their last four and got help last weekend when Michigan upset the Buckeyes. It’s the first time Penn State has reached a Big Ten championship title game since beating Wisconsin in 2016 — and they don’t intend to go home empty-handed this time, either.

“Being from Pennsylvania, seeing that game from 2016, like I always imagined being in these shoes, being in that moment, trying to win a Big Ten championship,” running back Nick Singleton said. “Being in that moment right now feels good, but we’ve got to go out there and win it.”

Gabirel concurred.

“When you walk in that building everyone is excited to do stuff and ready to go,” he said. “So it’s about execution, playing clean and being who we are.”

Under pressure?

Though Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and Gabriel are ranked seventh and eighth in FBS passing efficiency this season, both could be under serious pressure Saturday.

Defensive ends Matayo Uiagalelei of Oregon and Abdul Carter of Penn State are two of the nation’s premier pass rushers. Uiagalelei is tied for ninth nationally with 10 1/2 sacks while Carter is tied for 12th with 10. The Ducks also have another fearsome pass rusher in defensive end Jordan Burch (8 1/2).

It will be a major challenge for both offensive lines, especially if Oregon right guard Marcus Harper II is out (knee).

OTHER TOP GAMES

SEC

No. 2 Texas (11-1, 7-1 SEC, No. 2 CFP) vs. No. 5 Georgia (10-2, 6-2, No. 5 CFP): The Longhorns have national title hopes but first get a chance to win a championship in their first year in the SEC. They will also get a chance to avenge their only loss of the season against the resilient and dangerous Bulldogs, who advanced after an epic overtime win against Georgia Tech.

ACC

No. 18 Clemson (9-3, No. 17 CFP) vs. No. 8 SMU (11-1, No. 8): The Tigers have Syracuse to thank for punching their ticket to Charlotte for a shot at the ACC title. Had the Orange not knocked off double-digit favorite Miami last week, Clemson would have been idle this weekend and making plans for a non-CFP bowl. Instead, they’re playing for their first playoff bid since 2020, which was the last of their six straight CFP appearances.

The Mustangs’ only loss was to BYU on a late field goal, and then they did the nearly unthinkable by going unbeaten in ACC play in their first year in a Power Four league.

BIG 12

No. 12 Arizona State (10-2, 7-2 Big 12, No. 15 CFP) vs. No. 16 Iowa State (10-2, 7-2, No. 16 CFP): The Sun Devils rode Cam Skattebo (177 yards and three touchdowns) in a big win over rival Arizona to land a title game berth after perhaps the wildest of all power conference races. The Cyclones will make their second appearance in the conference championship game. They lost to Oklahoma in 2020.