Penn State Vs. SMU: Keys to the Sport – Sports activities Illustrated

When the 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff turned a actuality, Penn State was considered as one of many greatest beneficiaries of the brand new format. And now, after years of sustained success however no playoff appearances to point out for it, James Franklin’s squad now not is on the surface trying in.
Saturday marks Penn State’s first check on a possible path to the CFP title, and it comes towards an 11-2 SMU squad additionally making its first playoff look. Whereas the Mustangs snuck into the playoff because the No. 11 seed, they have been one of many nation’s most harmful squads within the common season earlier than shedding to Clemson within the ACC Championship Sport. How will Penn State assault SMU? Listed here are the keys for the Nittany Lions to advance previous the Mustangs and right into a quarterfinal matchup vs. Boise State on New Yr’s Eve.  
RELATED: Penn State vs. SMU gameday guide
Earlier than departing for the transfer portal, quarterback Beau Pribula sprinkled his impression all through Penn State’s offense. Featured in varied packages, Pribula performed at the very least 5 snaps in six convention video games and have become an instantaneous dashing menace when he was on the sector. On the sideline, Pribula additionally was a gradual presence as QB2, as evidenced by his efficiency within the second half of a 28-13 win over Wisconsin (98 passing yards, 28 dashing yards, one landing cross) after Drew Allar left with an damage. 
With out Pribula, Penn State should adjust its offense. The Nittany Lions’ floor sport turns into extra attention-grabbing. Even with the working backs, Allar’s scrambling potential and Tyler Warren, Franklin may have a lift in dashing offense with out Pribula. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki may now look to implement his artistic play-calling elsewhere. Maybe essentially the most important side, although, is changing the safety Penn State had behind Allar. Franklin mentioned Wednesday that true freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer is the backup quarterback regardless of not enjoying a snap in 2024.
“[Grunkemeyer has] accomplished a very good job of placing himself on this place,” Franklin mentioned. “We’ve got a variety of confidence in him, and he’s getting a ton of reps this week.”
Allar’s impression, and well being, could also be Penn State’s greatest X-factor within the playoffs. Within the Massive Ten Championship, Allar typically seemed like a star, making troublesome throws look straightforward as Penn State’s offense hung round with the nation’s top-ranked crew. However Allar additionally threw two interceptions, errors the Nittany Lions couldn’t overcome then and certainly can’t afford now. 
Contemplating SMU’s protection ranks fourth at stopping the run (93.4 yards allowed per sport), Allar’s arm may swing Saturday’s final result. According to CBS Sports, the Mustangs’ protection allowed 627 receiving yards to tight ends this season, which ranked 129th in FBS — which means Warren might be in line to reap the benefits of a big weak point. By counting on his star tight finish, Allar could also be in for a robust playoff efficiency. With out the protection blanket in Pribula, Penn State undoubtedly will want its junior quarterback at his greatest. 
Franklin additionally famous Wednesday that the Nittany Lions haven’t confronted a quarterback fairly similar to SMU’s Kevin Jennings this season. Able to beating groups along with his arm and legs, Jennings has managed the Mustangs’ offense nicely since turning into the full-time starter, and his athleticism permits him to increase performs and power defenses into errors.
Per CBS Sports, Jennings ranks second in FBS in passer effectivity (156.4) when pressured. This isn’t a matchup through which Penn State will be capable of depend on Abdul Carter and its defensive position to close down the opposing offense. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s unit will must be ready for Jennings’ dashing potential and canopy his receivers longer as he scrambles whereas additionally shutting down Brashard Smith and the Mustangs’ run sport. 
“[Jennings] throws it extraordinarily nicely, has accuracy, has [a] actually, actually fast launch, has good arm power so he can he can throw in tight home windows, and likewise has the flexibility to beat you along with his legs they usually constructed an entire system round that sort of participant,” Allen mentioned Tuesday. “He's a man that creates a variety of challenges for each protection, every week, and that's why they've had a lot success.”
Jennings led the SMU cost within the ACC title sport, throwing for 304 yards, dashing for 35 and totaling 4 touchdowns because the Mustangs rallied from a 24-7 halftime deficit to tie the sport late. Slowing him gained’t be straightforward, so Penn State’s potential to regulate and restrict Jennings’ impression will determine how successfully it retains SMU off the scoreboard.
Turnovers typically determine the result of huge video games, however with SMU this season, that’s particularly been true. Of their two losses, the Mustangs have totaled three interceptions by Jennings and three misplaced fumbles. Actually, SMU has fumbled 23 occasions this season (shedding 12). However turnovers haven’t completely harm SMU, both. Regardless of giving the ball away 21 occasions, Rhett Lashlee’s squad has additionally gained 21 turnovers. And SMU’s opponents have scored simply 17 factors off turnovers.
Luck will all the time play a job in successful the turnover battle. However between Jennings throwing three of his eight interceptions in losses and SMU’s lack of ability to carry onto the ball, it's a pattern value monitoring on each side of the ball. Compared, the Nittany Lions have thrown eight interceptions (seven by Allar) and misplaced simply 4 fumbles. 
With Allar coming off a two-interception efficiency vs. Oregon, every quarterback’s accuracy might be key. The Nittany Lions enter the sport proudly owning the expertise benefit, however a transparent path for SMU to flip the script in a troublesome street surroundings might be by way of takeaways. Ball safety will sway which squad advances to face Boise State within the Fiesta Bowl and which ends an 11-win season. 
“That is what we work for. That is one thing we've been speaking about since I've been right here,” Carter mentioned. “One thing all of us discuss is successful the Nationwide Championship, getting within the playoffs, and now we're right here. We’ve got this chance. We’ve obtained to do every little thing in our energy to ensure we reap the benefits of that chance.”
Penn State will face SMU in Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is about for midday ET on TNT.
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Daniel Mader, a Might 2024 graduate of Penn State, is an Editorial Intern with The Sporting Information. As a scholar journalist with The Each day Collegian, he served as a sports activities editor and lined Nittany Lions ladies’s basketball, males’s volleyball and extra. He has additionally lined Penn State soccer for NBC Sports activities and the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette, with further work within the Centre Each day Instances, Lancaster On-line and extra. Observe him on X @DanielMader_    or Instagram @dmadersports. 
Daniel Mader, a Might 2024 graduate of Penn State, is an Editorial Intern with The Sporting Information. As a scholar journalist with The Each day Collegian, he served as a sports activities editor and lined Nittany Lions ladies’s basketball, males’s volleyball and extra. He has additionally lined Penn State soccer for NBC Sports activities and the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette, with further work within the Centre Each day Instances, Lancaster On-line and extra. Observe him on X @DanielMader_, or Instagram @dmadersports.
Observe DanielMader_
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