In an exciting first-round matchup of the College Football Playoff, the 11th-seeded SMU Mustangs will face the sixth-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions this Saturday at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The winner will earn a spot in the Fiesta Bowl to take on No. 3 Boise State on December 31.
Both teams enter this game with impressive 11-2 records. SMU is looking to bounce back after a narrow 34-31 defeat to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, while Penn State lost 45-37 to Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Mustangs last claimed a national title in 1982, whereas the Nittany Lions, who have a storied history with two championships, last triumphed in 1986. Notably, both teams will miss key players; SMU’s standout tight end RJ Maryland and Penn State’s offensive tackle Anthony Donkoh are sidelined due to season-ending injuries.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET and the Nittany Lions are given 8.5-point odds as favorites, with a total points over/under of 52.5, slightly affected by a projected chilly kickoff temperature of 24 degrees.
The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated this matchup 10,000 times and shows a positive trend for bettors. It indicates that the total points may likely exceed the over/under in 60% of simulations, projecting up to 60 combined points. Both teams have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities, with SMU’s quarterback Kevin Jennings throwing for 304 yards and Brashard Smith showing versatility with 147 all-purpose yards in their last matchup. Conversely, Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar accumulated 280 yards and four touchdowns against Oregon, showcasing the prowess of junior running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton who both surpassed 100 yards.
As fans eagerly await this thrilling matchup, it’s a reminder of how college football continues to captivate audiences with its unpredictability and high stakes. Regardless of the outcome, both teams have shown resilience and skill throughout the season, making this game a must-watch for college football enthusiasts.