No. 6 Penn State Football vs. No. 11 SMU: Initial Thoughts on College Football Playoff Clash
Now that Penn State Football’s shot at a Big Ten Championship ended in heartbreak, the Nittany Lions have an opportunity to redeem themselves on an even bigger stage: the College Football Playoff.
For the first time in program history, Penn State earns its ticket to the playoff, hosting a first-round showdown against SMU inside what will undoubtedly be a raucous Beaver Stadium—a White Out unlike any other.
Let’s break it down:
By the Numbers
Rushing Offense:
- SMU: 49th
- Penn State: 19th
Passing Offense:
- Penn State: 41st
- SMU: 26th
Total Offense:
- Penn State: 15th
- SMU: 20th
Total Defense:
- Penn State: 6th
- SMU: 28th
SMU’s Offense: Can the Mustangs Keep Pace with Penn State?
SMU thrives on a pass-heavy offensive scheme, but that could play right into Penn State’s strengths.
The Mustangs allow just over one sack per game, showcasing solid protection upfront. However, they’ve yet to encounter a defense as relentless as Penn State’s.
Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions, ranked sixth nationally in total defense, should dominate the trenches, likely smothering SMU’s rushing attack and forcing the Mustangs into a one-dimensional air game.
SMU’s Defensive Vulnerabilities
If SMU’s Achilles’ heel lies anywhere, it’s in their secondary. Ranked 92nd in passing yards allowed, the Mustangs have struggled to contain dynamic aerial attacks. A recent example came against Clemson, whose offense (ranked 12th nationally) racked up 262 passing yards in the ACC Championship, despite some shaky moments.
The formula for Penn State seems clear: air it out.
Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions’ offense have the tools to exploit SMU’s porous pass defense and keep the chains moving.
Key Questions: Will Penn State Avoid a Trap?
Coming off a gut-wrenching loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game, the question lingers: Can head coach James Franklin’s squad reset mentally and avoid falling into the “trap game” mentality?
While SMU isn’t a pushover, this feels like an unlikely scenario. Franklin has a track record of refocusing his team after tough losses.
Factor in the historic significance of this game—Penn State’s first-ever playoff appearance and a White Out atmosphere in Beaver Stadium—and it’s hard to imagine the Nittany Lions coming out flat.
The Prediction: Penn State Plays Angry
Look for Penn State to channel their frustration from Indy into a statement performance against SMU. With their defense expected to overwhelm SMU’s offensive line and their passing game poised to exploit the Mustangs’ secondary, the Nittany Lions have all the tools to dominate this matchup.
As long as they play disciplined, mistake-free football, Penn State should roll through the first round and advance deeper into the College Football Playoff.
Final Thought: Beaver Stadium under playoff spotlight is set to deliver a spectacle—and Penn State appears ready to rise to the occasion.
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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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