Penn State vs. SMU: Nittany Lions Host Final At-Large Team

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00:00Our first one up kicking bright and early at noon Eastern time in a valley that is happy.

00:09It is the sixth seed Penn State hosting the final at-large team into this bracket.

00:15That would be the 11th seed SMU.

00:17Lacey Guy, both teams finished runner-up in their conference championships this season.

00:22Penn State in the Big Ten title game as an underdog.

00:25SMU the slight favorite in the ACC championship against Clemson.

00:30Of course the Tigers a bid stealer.

00:32But here we are getting ready for this Saturday inside Beavers Stadium.

00:36Touchdown eight and a half in favor of the Nittany Lions.

00:40When James Franklin and Penn State are expected to win a football game, they often do.

00:46Will they do so today on this Saturday against the State?

00:49They might, Ben, but I don't think they're covering their eight and a half.

00:51I think SMU is live in terms of this matchup.

00:54You look at Kevin Jennings, you look at that offense right now.

00:57Very balanced for SMU, averaging well over 30 points per game, 176 yards per game on

01:03the ground with Rashard Smith their lead running back.

01:06And they're averaging around 250 in terms of the passing attack.

01:09But we could talk offense all you want.

01:11It's the defense that will carry SMU, I believe, in terms of this matchup.

01:15You think Penn State, you think defense.

01:17They're giving up 103 rushing yards per game, only 178 in terms of the back end.

01:21Who has better statistics?

01:23SMU.

01:2493 rushing yards allowed per game, 2.7 yards per rush, 32% third down defense.

01:31And oh, by the way, 40 sacks on the year.

01:33Over the last five weeks, 23 sacks.

01:36This defense is getting after it.

01:37I know they got abused by Kate Clemmick.

01:40This is a different animal, more methodical offense in Penn State.

01:43And we've seen Penn State win, but not cover in three games this year at home.

01:48Ball State, UCLA, and Illinois.

01:50I'm taking the points.

01:51And they might strike the upset a little bit later today.

01:54So I want to give one update.

01:55The number moving a little bit, and not how I would have thought,

01:58I would have thought this would have crept closer to 10.

02:01There's a 7 and 1⁄2 out there, a flat 8 out there.

02:04So it looks like some more Stangs money coming in.

02:07I will say you talk about Penn State winning and not covering.

02:09And that's where I wouldn't go to those games, although totally valid.

02:13You look at the two teams quickly, right?

02:15So SMU, ultimately, it probably appreciates

02:20what Indiana did last night.

02:21All they got to do is hang with Penn State.

02:23And they're the most deserving team of all time, right?

02:26All year ranked.

02:27I know the circumstances.

02:29They lost.

02:30Clemson, all year ranked.

02:32Remember the narrative around Clemson.

02:34They were atrocious and could beat no one.

02:36They were rolling SMU.

02:37I get it got close.

02:39So the SMU resume, not awesome.

02:42Penn State can't beat any great team.

02:45We know that.

02:46Again, you want to laugh about a look-ahead line?

02:48I dare them to hang one of them against Georgia.

02:50Anybody that thinks Penn State's lying to Georgia, you got another thing coming.

02:53But look, I don't know if we'll ever even get that game.

02:56But Penn State's games against Minnesota and USC are what I would point to of not amazing,

03:04but certainly solid teams this year.

03:07And both times, Penn State was fighting for their very, very last breath.

03:12That is why I'm not on the side in this game.

03:14I have a different angle.

03:15I understand we have plenty of time this morning.

03:17I would agree with you, and I would lean towards SMU because I've not seen Penn State extend

03:22in cover against those solid teams.

03:26They've destroyed some bottom feeders.

03:29But again, the teams with a pulse, Ben, hang.

03:31Narrative and storyline are going to follow every team, every program, every coach throughout

03:37this college football playoff, especially in the expanded field of 12.

03:42Because in the 11 years in Happy Valley, this is the first appearance in the CFP for

03:48Penn State, taking advantage of that expanded playoff format.

03:53As a favorite, the Nittany Lions, since the beginning of 2022's college football season,

03:5733 times, 32-1 straight up, 23-9-1 against the spread.

04:04Rhett Lashley and his Mustangs, only a dog twice this year against TCU, and early on

04:10in the ACC slate against Louisville, SMU won outright in both of those.

04:15Lacey Guy, you think SMU can keep this game within margin on this Saturday in State College.

04:21How is the best way SMU does so?

04:23I think from an offensive perspective, they have the more consistent quarterback in Kevin

04:27Jennings.

04:28We talk about how the defense stepped up over the last five weeks, Ben.

04:30Kevin Jennings in that offense have averaged, over the last five games, 306 passing yards

04:36per game.

04:37He's been very clean with the football.

04:38Only three interceptions during that span.

04:40I think he does it.

04:41He steps up.

04:42Here's the other thing.

04:43Drew Alla has only two 300-yard games.

04:46One to 0-12 Kent State, the other to USC.

04:48They were in both of those games.

04:50USC pushed them to the limit.

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