Penn State Nittany Lions Host SMU Mustangs in College Football Playoff First Round

The 2024 College Football Playoff is underway, with the sixth-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions set to host the eleventh-seeded SMU Mustangs in the first round. The game, taking place at sold-out Beaver Stadium, is scheduled for noon ET on Saturday, December 21, 2024. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN with Mark Jones, Roddy Jones, and Quint Kessenich on the call.

Penn State, led by junior quarterback Drew Allar, is a 8.5-point favorite in the latest odds via SportsLine consensus. Allar has been instrumental in the Nittany Lions’ success this season, completing 224 of 324 passes for 2,894 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven interceptions. His favorite target has been senior tight end Tyler Warren, who has 88 receptions for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns.

SMU, on the other hand, is led by sophomore quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is a dual-threat with 227 completed passes for 3,050 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Mustangs also feature senior running back Brashard Smith, who leads the team in rushing with 217 carries for 1,270 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The winner of this matchup will advance to face the third-seeded Boise State Broncos in the quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl on December 31. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and plan additional travel time due to the high demand for parking and entry into Beaver Stadium.