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.

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.

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.

PREDICTION

Southern Methodist Mustangs

Penn State Nittany Lions

Southern Methodist Mustangs vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Recap DEC 21TH 2024

Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas returned interceptions for touchdowns and No. 6 seed Penn State advanced in the College Football Playoff with an easy 38-10 victory over No. 11 seed SMU on Saturday afternoon at University Park, Pa.

DeLuca also had another interception as the Nittany Lions (12-2) built a 28-point halftime advantage in Happy Valley. Penn State will face No. 3 seed Boise State (12-1) in a quarterfinal game at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Dec. 31.

Nicholas Singleton rushed for 90 yards and one touchdown and Kaytron Allen had 70 yards and two scores for the Nittany Lions, who thrived in cold weather that was 25 degrees (feels like 12) at kickoff. Drew Allar completed 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards.

Kevin Jennings threw three first-half interceptions for an SMU team that was overmatched from the outset. The Mustangs (11-3) were the final team to earn an at-large bid into the 12-team field, edging Alabama.

Jennings completed 20 of 36 passes for 195 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels Jr. Brashard Smith had 163 all-purpose yards (77 kickoff, 62 rushing, 24 receiving) for the Mustangs.

Penn State outgained SMU 325-253.

Jennings' first interception came when DeLuca picked off the throw at the SMU 23-yard line and ran in for the score with 6:08 left in the opening quarter.

His second interception came when Rojas nabbed his pass and meandered 59 yards for a score to give Penn State a 14-0 lead with 13:09 left in the first half.

SMU was threatening to get on the board five minutes later when DeLuca batted a Jennings pass in the air and caught it at the Nittany Lions' 11 and returned it 14 yards.

Penn State then traveled 75 yards on nine plays to push the lead to 21. Allen capped the drive with a 25-yard run around the left side with five minutes left in the first half.

Singleton scored from the 1 with 1:03 left to give the Nittany Lions a 28-point halftime edge.

SMU got on the board in the third quarter on a 28-yard field goal by Collin Rogers. Penn State got the three points back on Ryan Barker's 40-yard field goal with 8:13 left in the period.

Allen tacked on a 4-yard run to boost the Nittany Lions' lead to 38-3 with 12:56 left in the contest.

Jennings hit Daniels from 28 yards out with 7:31 to play.