Penn State Football Keys to Success vs. Boise State in the College Football Playoff
No. 6 Penn State Football is set to face the No. 3 seed Boise State Broncos in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, at the Fiesta Bowl, with Penn State currently favored by more than a touchdown.
For the Nittany Lions to advance, they’ll need to capitalize on several key mismatches and execute effectively. Here are three pivotal areas to watch.
Penn State Football Keys to Knocking Off Boise State
1. Containing Boise’s Passing Attack
The Stats:
- Boise State Passing Offense: Ranked 74th nationally
- Penn State Passing Defense: Ranked 10th nationally
This matchup heavily favors Penn State.
The Nittany Lions’ elite secondary has consistently shut down opponents all season and is well-positioned to limit Boise’s aerial production. If Penn State’s defensive backs can handle business as expected, it will force the Broncos into becoming a one-dimensional offense reliant on the ground game.
This, in turn, allows Penn State’s linebackers and defensive front to focus on Boise’s star running back, Ashton Jeanty.
Ultimately, the performance of the PSU secondary could be the single biggest factor in determining the game’s outcome.
2. Penn State Football Must Attack Boise’s Porous Pass Defense
The Stats:
- Boise State Pass Defense: Ranked 109th nationally
- Penn State Passing Offense: Ranked 32nd nationally
Boise State’s struggles against the pass create a massive opportunity for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and his receiving corps. One key target to watch is tight end Tyler Warren, who could dominate against a Broncos defense that lacks the personnel to cover him effectively.
As SMU showed in the first round of the Playoff, doubling Warren is a possibility, which means other Penn State receivers must step up to exploit one-on-one matchups.
Given Boise’s defensive vulnerabilities, this game looks like a lopsided mismatch on paper. The Broncos rank in the bottom 10% nationally in pass defense, and unless their secondary plays above its talent level, Penn State has a clear advantage through the air.
3. Slowing Down Ashton Jeanty
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is a generational talent and the centerpiece of the Broncos’ offense. Jeanty’s ability to dominate games on the ground makes him a nearly impossible player to completely stop.
However, Penn State’s defensive front—arguably the best Boise will have faced all season—must focus on slowing him down just enough to keep him from taking over the game.
Key to success: If Penn State can limit Jeanty to 140-150 yards while rendering Boise’s passing attack ineffective, they’ll likely walk away with a comfortable win. This requires disciplined, gap-sound football and strong performances from the Nittany Lions’ front seven
Penn State’s Bottom Line
Penn State enters this game with significant advantages on both sides of the ball.
If the Nittany Lions’ secondary can neutralize Boise’s passing game, and Drew Allar and the offense capitalize on a vulnerable Broncos defense, Penn State should move on to the Orange Bowl and keep their National Championship hopes alive.
Slowing down Jeanty will be a challenge, but if the defense holds strong, Penn State is well-positioned for success.
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- Breaking Down Penn State’s QB Depth Chart for College Football Playoff, 2025 Season
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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