Will the Nittany Lions wipe the floor with a Mustangs team that did little to nothing to earn an opportunity to play in the college football playoff? The SMU vs. Penn State college football first-round playoff matchup will kickoff at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
SMU Mustangs (+9) at Penn State Nittany Lions (-9); o/u 53
12:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 21, 2024
Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
TV: TNT/Max
SMU vs. Penn State Public Betting: Bettors Backing Underdog Mustangs
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 59% of bets are on SMU. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
Jennings tosses three touchdowns
Kevin Jennings was 31-for-50 passing for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during Saturday’s 34-31 defeat against Clemson. He also had 10 rushes for 35 yards with one touchdown. Big throwing volume should mean many completions, which Jennings got a season high of Saturday. In Jennings’ last seven games, he successfully logged at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns four times, this past weekend being his fourth.
Unlike the other three times, Jennings also logged a rushing touchdown, meaning Saturday marked his season high in career TDs. And despite the loss, a Jennings-led SMU offense impressed enough to advance into the 2024-25 College Football Playoff, keeping his current season alive. Up next for the Mustangs is a visit to Penn State.
Allar intends to return to Penn State
Drew Allar announced his intent to return for Penn State’s 2025 season. Currently, Allar is a junior who could have entered the transfer portal for his last year of college football. But after Penn State’s 2024 regular season, which saw him log almost 3,000 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns en route to a Big Ten Championship appearance, he will not go portaling or turn pro. For the Nittany Lions, this is re-assuring news before they are expected to host SMU for a first-round playoff game Saturday against SMU.
SMU vs. Penn State Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana’s last 5 games on the road
Indiana is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
SMU vs. Penn State Prediction
Take Penn State. SMU couldn’t beat Clemson in the ACC title game and Clemson isn’t very good. I mean, they’re good when you compare them to Purdue or another crap Big Ten team. But they’re not good in the sense that they’re going to make a surprise run in the college football playoff.
Did you watch Notre Dame’s win over Indiana on Friday night? You’ll hear how the Fighting Irish dominated but I didn’t think Notre Dame played well on offense. They just happened to play an overmatched Indiana team that crapped itself like it did against Ohio State in its lone game against a decent opponent in the regular season. That’s how I view this matchup today in Happy Valley. Penn State gave Oregon – the No. 1 team in the nation – a game in the Big Ten title game. SMU couldn’t beat Clemson, which is about to get bone-sawed by Clemson.
I guess what I’m saying is that SMU is the Indiana of the ACC. And they’re about to be taken to the woodshed.
SMU vs. Penn State Prediction: Penn State Nittany Lions -9