Southern Methodist Mustangs vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024
Preview and Prediction
In its inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, SMU was selected to finish in seventh place, a prediction that would have resulted in an invitation to a mediocre bowl game.
However, as the Mustangs wrap up their preparations for the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, it is clear that preseason projections hold little significance.
Despite being the 11th seed, SMU has exceeded expectations and is now looking to continue their impressive run with a stunning upset over sixth-seeded Penn State on Saturday in the frigid conditions of University Park, Pennsylvania.
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With temperatures expected to be in the low-20s, the Nittany Lions have called for a "whiteout" from their fans, but Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee remains unfazed, stating that both teams will be playing in the same weather conditions.
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the Fiesta Bowl on December 31st to face third-seeded Boise State.
While Penn State was considered a playoff contender from the start of the season, SMU had to fight their way through a tough schedule and narrowly edged out traditional powerhouse Alabama for the final spot.
In their first season in the ACC, the Mustangs went undefeated in conference play and their only two losses were by a combined six points, with both games being decided by a field goal.
Leading the charge for SMU is the dynamic duo of quarterback Kevin Jennings and running back Brashard Smith, who have combined for over 4,300 yards and 36 touchdowns this season.
Offensively, both teams are evenly matched, with SMU averaging 38.5 points per game and Penn State not far behind with a 33.6 scoring average.
Nittany Lions center Nick Dawkins expects a physical battle on Saturday, stating that his team will need to be prepared to play four full quarters.
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Penn State's only two losses this season came against top-ranked Ohio State and Oregon, with both games being decided by a single score.
Quarterback Drew Allar has been a standout for the Nittany Lions, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. He recently announced that he will be returning to Penn State for the 2025 season.
On the defensive side, defensive end Abdul Carter has been a force to be reckoned with, recording 19.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks this season. He was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and is projected to be a top draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
This will be the third meeting between SMU and Penn State, with the previous two games resulting in a tie and a win for the Nittany Lions.