Penn State dominates SMU 38-10 with defense in College Football Playoff to reach Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal.
No. 6 Penn State scored a pair of defensive touchdowns and made a huge College Football Playoff statement with a 38-10 win against No. 11 SMU in the first round.
The Nittany Lions advance to the quarterfinals in the Fiesta Bowl against No. 3 Boise State and star running back Ashton Jeanty.
Penn State took a 28-0 lead into halftime thanks to the two defensive scores off interceptions and another touchdown on a short field with under two minutes left in the second quarter. Facing off against one of the top scoring offenses in the Bowl Subdivision, the Nittany Lions’ defense allowed only 252 yards and 1.6 yards per carry.
SMU was held out of the end zone until a touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter. The Mustangs had scored at least 28 points in all but one game during the regular season.
Combined with Friday night’s convincing win for No. 7 Notre Dame against No. 10 Indiana, this blowout will feed into the brewing controversy over the selection committee’s decision to choose the Hoosiers and Mustangs over three-loss SEC teams in Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina.
After failing to secure wins against Ohio State and Oregon during the regular season, the 28-point victory supports the Nittany Lions’ case for being seen as one of the top contenders for the national championship.
The only team in the FBS with more than three completions of 70 or more yards during the regular season, the Mustangs’ longest completion on Saturday went for 28 yards.
How to Watch, Stream First Round Games: Indiana vs Notre Dame |
CFP First Round Games Predictions, Odds: Indiana vs Notre Dame |
What channel is Penn State vs SMU on Saturday, how to stream online?
TV channel: TNT
Livestream: Max | Sling TV
Penn State vs. SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff will be broadcast nationally on TNT. Mark Jones and Roddy Jones will have the call from the booth at Beaver Stadium, with Quint Kessenich reporting from the sidelines.
Streaming options for Saturday's CFP game include Max and Sling TV, which carries TNT and the Turner family of networks.
Penn State vs SMU start time on Saturday
Date: Saturday, Dec. 21
Start time: Noon ET
Penn State and SMU will kick off at noon ET from Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21 in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Penn State vs SMU odds, Lines, Spread
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of , Dec. 19
Odds: Penn State (-8.5)
Over/under: 54.5
Moneyline: Penn State (-350) | SMU (+260)
Penn State vs SMU picks, predictions, odds: Who wins College Football Playoff first round game?
Dimers.com: Penn State 30, SMU 22
It writes: "After extensive simulations, our model gives Southern Methodist a win probability of 29%, while Penn State has a win probability of 71%."
ESPN: The Nittany Lions have a 67.2% chance to defeat the Mustangs
The site's matchup predictor gives SMU a 32.8% shot to beat Penn State on Saturday.
Bookies.com: SMU might not be ready for the weather
York Daily Record's Frank Bodani: Penn State 30, SMU 17
USA Today's Paul Myerberg:Penn State 34, SMU 21
College Football Network: Penn State 34, SMU 24
According to ESPN's Matchup Predictor, the Penn State Nittany Lions have a 67.2% chance to beat the SMU Mustangs in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
No. 6 Penn State vs No. 11 SMU College Football Playoff ticket prices
Penn State vs SMU on StubHub at Beaver Stadium in University Park tickets range from $57-$159.
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