We have reached the College Football Playoff quarterfinals and have some really intriguing games on the schedule. After a rough first round, many are hoping that these games live up to all the hype surrounding the 12-team playoff.
In the Fiesta Bowl, the Boise State Broncos will be taking on the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State is fresh off a dominating win over the SMU Mustangs and will be looking to keep their dream of a title alive.
As for the Broncos, they have been in waiting after receiving a bye from the playoff committee. Boise State is one of the more interesting teams in the playoff and they will look to shock some people.
The Broncos come in with a record of 12-1 on the season, with their only loss coming at the hands of the No. 1 seeded Oregon Ducks. Boise State has been a massive surprise this year but this is a team nobody should be counting out.
As for Penn State, they enter this game with a record of 12-2, including the playoff win. They fell short in the Big Ten title game to Oregon and missed their chances to earn a bye.
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 06: Running back Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Boise State Broncos fires up the crowd prior to the start of the Mountain West Championship between the Boise State Broncos and the…
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 06: Running back Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Boise State Broncos fires up the crowd prior to the start of the Mountain West Championship between the Boise State Broncos and the UNLV Rebels at Albertsons Stadium on December 06, 2024 in Boise, Idaho. Boise State takes on Penn State in the CFP.
Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images
So who wins this contest? Newsweek Sports has expert predictions for this game to get you ready for it.
Matt Levine: Ashton Jeanty is the best running back in football and many, including himself, believe he should have won the Heisman Trophy. This will be his moment to prove himself against a Penn State defense that has looked a little shaky at times. The Broncos rely heavily on Jeanty to succeed so he will need another impressive showing for them to win.
The Nittany Lions have typically come up short under head coach James Franklin but he exercised some demons with the win over SMU. This game likely comes down to game execution and with that, I lean toward the Broncos to pull the supposed upset.
Prediction: Boise State 28, Penn State 20
Ricardo Sandoval: No. 3 seed Boise State will play in its first college football playoff game in its program’s history. However, it will be far from a walk in the park as it will face the Big 10 champion runner-up, the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Broncos have the Heisman runner-up on their side in running back Ashton Jeanty, but the Nittany Lions will be too much for Boise State.
Prediction: Penn State 30, Boise State 17
Valentina Martinez: The Nittany Lions play at a higher level than the Broncos on both sides of the ball. Though Boise State may have Ashton Jeanty, it won’t be enough to take down Penn State.
Prediction: Penn State 34, Boise State 21
Ryan Stano: While Ashton Jeanty is the best running back in college football, the Broncos haven’t played enough good competition to be ready for a team like Penn State. Still, James Franklin is notoriously bad in big games. If this game gets close at the end, Penn State is in trouble. I think It will be.
Prediction: Boise State 28, Penn State 24
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College Football Playoff: Boise State vs Penn State Expert Predictions
