Somebody is going to lose their first Fiesta Bowl in program history on New Year’s Eve. With a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals on the line, Penn State and Boise State will each put their undefeated records in the Fiesta Bowl on the line against one another in the first meeting between the two schools. Penn State is a big favorite and Boise State players are embracing the underdog role, one the program is known for. And with star running back Ashton Jeanty closing in on college football history, Penn State’s defense will be up for a stiff challenge from the Broncos running game.
So, how are we feeling about this matchup in Glendale, Arizona? The staff here at Nittany Lions Wire is feeling pretty good about the impending outcome. Whuiel we aren’t exactly already eyeing up a semifinal matchup with Notre Dame or Georgia just yet, the crew at Nitany Lions Wire is expecting a favorable outcome for the Blue and White to bring in the new year.
Here are our final score predictions for the Fiesta Bowl.
Charlie: I’m not going to beat around the bush. This is a favorable quarterfinal matchup for Penn State. Boise State only lost to Oregon by a field goal back in September, but two costly Ducks’ fumbles led to Broncos touchdowns that made the final score closer than it might have otherwise been. The Nittany Lions need to view Broncos as a formidable opponent, but they aren’t world-beaters because they “kept it close” against the No. 1 team.
Penn State will need to slow down Ashton Jeanty but the Nittany Lions will be the best defensive line Jeanty and the Broncos have faced all year. Boise State has some talented pieces on both sides of the ball, but Penn State is a deep team with significantly better talent on both lines. Can the Broncos force turnovers to give them extra possessions? That will be the major question and likely the difference between a close game or a double-digit loss.
Penn State 28, Boise State 17
Brad: The trick for the Nittany Lions will be to stop Ashton Jeanty as he sets out to make history by breaking Barry Sander’s single-season rushing record. As shown against SMU, Penn State can dominate in the trenches against inferior size and talent, and that should be coming on Tuesday. On the flip side, Drew Allar and the passing attack should have a much better game inside a dome to help out the resurgent one-two punch of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. It could be close for a bit, but Penn State takes control and advances to the semifinals.
Penn State 35, Boise State 21
Shayne: Penn State’s defense has quite the test this week in their Fiesta Bowl matchup with Boise State. Ashton Jeanty could single-handedly change the course of the game at any moment, so it’s hard to predict how this game will play out. Penn State has the edge talent-wise and just pummeled SMU a week ago, so I think they take care of business even if Jeanty has a big game.
Penn State 31, Boise State 21
Kevin: The matchup between the Penn State defense and Ashton Jeanty is one I have been looking forward to since the College Football Playoff bracket was unveiled. I know that Jeanty is going to get his yards, although the question will be if he has enough to get the single-season rushing record in one game against the Nittany Lions defense. I think he comes up short, which bodes well for Penn State. But I don’t see how Boise State’s defense will hold up for four quarters against Penn State’s offense, which may get off to a slow start but will turn it up in the second half to pull away for a win.
There is no reason to take this Boise State team lightly. This is the same Broncos team that took Oregon to the wire at the beginning of the season in Autzen Stadium. But I do think Penn State has the depth and the talent advantage to prevail and advance to the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff.
Penn State 34, Boise State 20