It’s an ACC versus Big Ten matchup to kick off the first of three games on Saturday. SMU entered the College Football Playoff over Alabama as the Crimson Tide lost three regular season games.
Time: noon ET | Television: TNT | Line: Penn State -8.5 | Total: 54.5
How these teams got here
SMU: The Mustangs were the last major team to make the field after their ACC title game loss to Clemson. SMU trailed 31-14 late in the third quarter before scoring 17 straight points to tie the game with 16 seconds left. Still, Clemson got the win with a 56-yard field goal as time expired.
SMU went 9-0 in conference play to reach the title game in its first year in the ACC. The Mustangs avoided regular season games against Clemson, Miami and Syracuse while surviving a six-turnover performance to escape with a win over Duke.
Penn State: The Nittany Lions’ two losses came to the top two teams on their schedule. Penn State was 7-0 before the offense culminated in a 20-13 home loss to Ohio State. It was a familiar scene for PSU fans, as the team’s lone TD came on a pick-6. The offense was much, much better in the Big Ten title game against Oregon, but the defense couldn’t pull its weight in a 45-37 loss to the Ducks.
How the QBs stack up
SMU’s Kevin Jennings did not open the season as the team’s starter. He replaced Preston Stone in the team’s loss to BYU on September 6 and has not relinquished the job. Jennings has completed 66% of his passes for 3,050 yards and 22 TDs, while also rushing for 379 yards and five scores.
PSU QB Drew Allar is 224 of 324 passing for 2,894 yards and 21 touchdowns and has also rushed for six scores. His completion percentage is up nearly 10 points from 2023 and he is averaging two more yards per pass than he did a season ago. Penn State has been running a package of plays per game for No. 2 QB Beau Pribula, but Pribula is now in the transfer portal as Allar has said he will return for the 2025 season.
Players to watch
SMU RB Brashard Smith: The Miami transfer was primarily a returner and receiver in his three seasons with the Hurricanes. In Dallas he was a standout running back. After rushing just 18 times in Miami, Smith has 217 carries for 1,270 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was also a key part of the passing game with 35 catches for 303 yards and four scores. Smith has rushed for over 100 yards in seven games this season and is SMU’s clear No. 1 rushing option. No. 2 RB LJ Johnson Jr. has just 68 carries for 277 yards.
Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton: Singleton was dynamic in the Big Ten title game. He rushed 10 times for 105 yards and had four catches for 43 yards and a score in the loss. Singleton has been dealing with a lower-body injury this season and had just 20 carries in three games in early November. But he has run the ball 36 times in the last three games and looks completely healthy. For the season, Singleton has rushed 131 times for 838 yards and seven scores while adding five receiving touchdowns.
The key to the game
SMU has a chance to allay the unrest if it can prevent turnover. The Mustangs have turned the ball over 21 times this season and have five games with at least two turnovers. A fumble by Jennings on the first drive against Clemson led to a TD as Clemson built a 21-7 lead. SMU is even in a turnover gap this season despite being 11-2. Penn State, meanwhile, ranks 19th in the country and averages less than one turnover per game.
