SMU takes on Penn State in the College Football Playoff
FOX 4’s Jeff Kolb is in Pennsylvania talking about the upcoming showdown between SMU and Penn State.
The SMU football team arrives in Pennsylvania on Friday ahead of the school’s first ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Both SMU (11-2) and Penn State (11-2) are coming into the game after losing in their conference championships.
SMU vs. Penn State: How to Watch, Stream
- No. 11 SMU vs. No. 6 Penn State
- Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
- Date: Saturday, December 21
- Time: 11 a.m. Central
- TV: TNT
- Streaming: MAX
Penn State vs. SMU Prediction
- Pick ATS: SMU (+8.5)
- Pick OU: Over (54)
- Prediction: Penn State 29, SMU 26
Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.
- Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Nittany Lions 31, Mustangs 23.
- Penn State is 6-7-0 ATS this season.
- SMU is 7-5-0 ATS this year.
SMU vs. Penn State Weather
A big story on Saturday will be the weather for the game.
It will be a snowy Friday in Happy Valley.
At kickoff on Saturday, the snow should be gone, but temperatures are expected to be in the 20s with windchill in the teens.
“I don’t think the weather is a big deal. You know both teams are playing in the same conditions whether there’s snow or not snow. Whether it’s really cold or just kinda cold. It is what it is. The weather is only going to be an issue if we allow it to be an issue,” said SMU coach Rhett Lashlee.
Kevin Jennings: From South Oak Cliff to SMU Star
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 07: SMU Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) during the ACC championship football game between the SMU Mustangs and the Clemson Tigers on December 7, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/I
The Mustangs are led by quarterback Kevin Jennings.
Jennings has been a rising star this season, throwing for 3,050 yards, 22 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
The quarterback played sparingly early in the year, splitting time with starter Preson Stone.
After a loss to BYU, coach Rhett Lashlee named Jennings the team’s starting quarterback.
He was named third-team All
Jennings grew up in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood.
He led South Oak Cliff High School to the 2021 5A Division II state championship.
Despite his starring role on the Golden Bears, Jennings was only a three-star recruit out of high school.
He committed to play for SMU.
What Happens if SMU Wins?
If SMU can pull off an upset against Penn State, they will move on to play No. 3 Boise State and former Frisco Lone Star great Ashton Jeanty.
That game will be played on December 31 in Glendale, Arizona.
College Football Playoff Bracket
