Nittany Lions Host Mustangs in CFP First Round (Game Preview)

No. 11 SMU (11-2, 8-0 ACC) at No. 6 Penn State (11-2, 8-0 Big Ten)

Date: Saturday, December 21

Time: 12:00 PM

Location: Beaver Stadium (University Park, PA)

Coverage

• TV: TNT (cable) & Max (streaming)

• Radio: Mustang Vision (SMU) & LionVision (PSU)

• Live Stats: ESPN GameCast & StatBroadcast (PSU)

Storylines

Frigid Conditions in Effect for Saturday

The Mustangs will have their hands full as State College is forecasting a 27 to 11-degree temperature range for the first round playoff game. Wind speeds will also play a major factor, as the 10 to 20-mph winds range from a gentle breeze to a fresh breeze on the Beaufort Wind Scale (Source: Sporting News & NWS)

“We Are”: A Brief History of the Slogan

In 1948, the Nittany Lions were slated to play SMU in the Cotton Bowl, but due to the laws of the time, Penn State’s Black players would not be allowed to participate. In a protest, captain Steve Suhey stated, “We are Penn State”, creating the slogan fans know today. (Source: PennLive)

No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State: Team Numbers

No. 11 SMU	Offense	No. 6 Penn State
38.6	Points Per Game	33.6
267.0	Pass Yards Per Game	246.5
176.1	Rush Yards Per Game	202.2
46.47%	3rd Down %	47.77%
28 (2.15)	Turnovers (per game)	17 (1.31)

No. 11 SMU	Defense	No. 6 Penn State
20.9	Points Allowed PG	16.4
232.7	Pass Yards Allowed PG	178.5
93.4	Rush Yards Allowed PG	103.6
32.12%	Opponent 3rd Down %	34.50%
43 (3.31)	Takeaways (per game)	26 (2.00)

Nittany Lions Slightly Lead Head-to-Head

Penn State is 1-0-1 against SMU all-time, according to Winsipedia. Their last meeting was on September 23, 1978, when Penn State beat SMU 26-21 at home. Penn State is 1-0 against SMU at home all-time. Penn State has won the last one head-to-head meeting dating back to 1978. SMU has never beaten Penn State.

Players To Watch on Offense

No. 11 SMU

• QB Kevin Jennings, R-So.

  • Passing: 227-for-344, 3,050 yds, 22 TD, 8 INT

  • Rushing: 93 car, 379 yds, 5 TD

• RB Brashard Smith, Sr.

  • Rushing: 217 car, 1,270 yds, 14 TD

• WR Roderick Daniels, Sr.

  • Receiving: 38 rec, 599 yds, 3 TD

No. 6 Penn State

• QB Drew Allar, Jr.

  • Passing: 224-for-324, 2,894 yds, 21 TD, 7 INT

  • Rushing: 72 car, 279 yds, 6 TD

• RB Nicholas Singleton, Jr.

  • Rushing: 131 car, 838 yds, 7 TD

• TE Tyler Warren, Sr.

  • Receiving: 88 rec, 1,062 yds, 6 TD

Players To Watch on Defense

No. 11 SMU

• DE Jahfari Harvey, Sr.

  • Defense: 28 tot, 7 sacks, 12 TFL

• LB Kobe Wilson, Gr.

  • Defense: 110 tot, 3 sacks, 6 TFL

• S Ahmaad Moses, Jr.

  • Defense: 70 tot, 3 INT, 6 PD

No. 4 Penn State

• DE Abdul Carter, Jr.

  • Defense: 60 tot, 10 sacks, 19.5 TFL

• LB Kobe King, R-Jr.

  • Defense: 72 tot, 3 sacks, 8.5 TFL

• S Jaylen Reed, Sr.

  • Defense: 79 tot, 3 INT, 3 PD

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: The Nittany Lions need to prove that they can hang around in a “big game”. Although this game may not be classified as that, they’ll still squeak by with the lights shining brighter than ever.

Pick: No. 6 Penn State