Penn State demolished SMU at Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon 38-10 to earn a berth into the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The Nittany Lions’ defense was in elite form, forcing three SMU turnovers to propel them to the lopsided victory.
After a blowout win in the opening round of the CFP, Penn State is in a prime position to continue its push to a national championship. The team will have a holiday break before preparing for a quarterfinal matchup.
Penn State will head to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve. It will be the Nittany Lions’ eighth appearance in the Fiesta Bowl and first since 2017.
Who will Penn State play in the Fiesta Bowl?
Penn State will play the Mountain West Champion, the Boise State Broncos, in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Penn State vs. Boise State predictions
The biggest matchup within the matchup will be Penn State’s run defense versus Boise State running back and Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty was the best running back in college football this season and is 132 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing yardage record. Needless to say, Penn State’s run defense will have to be on the top of their game.
On the other side of the ball, Penn State’s offense should be licking its chops to come up against a Broncos’ defense that allows 362 yards per game. Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions passing attack will have to attack a vulnerable defense that gives up 246 passing yards per game.
When does TEAM1 play TEAM2 in CFP?
Penn State will take on Boise State on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The game will be televised on ESPN.
CFP schedule
Quarterfinals
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State
- Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas or Clemson
- Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State or Tennessee
Semifinals (Jan. 9-10)
- Orange Bowl: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 on ESPN
- Cotton Bowl: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 on ESPN
CFP National Championship
- 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 on ESPN
