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

When the 12-team School Soccer Playoff turned a actuality, Penn State was considered as one of many largest beneficiaries of the brand new format. And now, after years of sustained success however no playoff appearances to indicate for it, James Franklin’s squad now not is on the surface trying in.
Saturday marks Penn State’s first take a look at on a possible path to the CFP title, and it comes in opposition to an 11-2 SMU squad additionally making its first playoff look. Whereas the Mustangs snuck into the playoff because the No. 11 seed, they had been one of many nation’s most harmful squads within the common season earlier than dropping 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 influence all through Penn State’s offense. Featured in numerous packages, Pribula performed no less than 5 snaps in six convention video games and have become an instantaneous dashing risk when he was on the sphere. 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 go) after Drew Allar left with an damage. 
With out Pribula, Penn State should adjust its offense. The Nittany Lions’ floor recreation turns into extra fascinating. Even with the working backs, Allar’s scrambling skill and Tyler Warren, Franklin may have a lift in dashing offense with out Pribula. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki may now look to implement his inventive play-calling elsewhere. Maybe probably the most important facet, although, is changing the safety Penn State had behind Allar. Franklin stated Wednesday that true freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer is the backup quarterback regardless of not taking part in a snap in 2024.
“[Grunkemeyer has] accomplished a extremely good job of placing himself on this place,” Franklin stated. “We’ve a variety of confidence in him, and he’s getting a ton of reps this week.”
Allar’s influence, and well being, could also be Penn State’s largest X-factor within the playoffs. Within the Huge Ten Championship, Allar usually regarded like a star, making tough throws look straightforward as Penn State’s offense hung round with the nation’s top-ranked group. However Allar additionally threw two interceptions, errors the Nittany Lions couldn’t overcome then and absolutely can’t afford now. 
Contemplating SMU’s protection ranks fourth at stopping the run (93.4 yards allowed per recreation), Allar’s arm may swing Saturday’s consequence. According to CBS Sports, the Mustangs’ protection allowed 627 receiving yards to tight ends this season, which ranked 129th in FBS — which means Warren could possibly be in line to make the most of a major 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 together with his arm and legs, Jennings has managed the Mustangs’ offense effectively since changing into the full-time starter, and his athleticism permits him to increase performs and pressure defenses into errors.
Per CBS Sports, Jennings ranks second in FBS in passer effectivity (156.4) when pressured. This isn’t a matchup during which Penn State will be capable to 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 skill and canopy his receivers longer as he scrambles whereas additionally shutting down Brashard Smith and the Mustangs’ run recreation. 
“[Jennings] throws it extraordinarily effectively, has accuracy, has [a] actually, actually fast launch, has good arm power so he can he can throw in tight home windows, and in addition has the flexibility to beat you together with his legs and so they constructed a complete system round that sort of participant,” Allen stated Tuesday. “He's a man that creates a variety of challenges for each protection, each week, and that's why they've had a lot success.”
Jennings led the SMU cost within the ACC title recreation, 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 skill to regulate and restrict Jennings’ influence will resolve how successfully it retains SMU off the scoreboard.
Turnovers usually resolve 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. In truth, SMU has fumbled 23 instances this season (dropping 12). However turnovers haven’t totally harm SMU, both. Regardless of giving the ball away 21 instances, Rhett Lashlee’s squad has additionally gained 21 turnovers. And SMU’s opponents have scored simply 17 factors off turnovers.
Luck will at all times play a job in profitable the turnover battle. However between Jennings throwing three of his eight interceptions in losses and SMU’s incapacity to carry onto the ball, it's a pattern value monitoring on each side of the ball. As 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 will probably 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 tricky street setting will probably be by 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 stated. “One thing all of us discuss is profitable the Nationwide Championship, getting within the playoffs, and now we're right here. We’ve this chance. We’ve obtained to do the whole lot in our energy to ensure we make the most 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 Could 2024 graduate of Penn State, is an Editorial Intern with The Sporting Information. As a pupil journalist with The Day by day Collegian, he served as a sports activities editor and coated Nittany Lions girls’s basketball, males’s volleyball and extra. He has additionally coated Penn State soccer for NBC Sports activities and the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette, with further work within the Centre Day by day Occasions, Lancaster On-line and extra. Observe him on X @DanielMader_    or Instagram @dmadersports. 
Daniel Mader, a Could 2024 graduate of Penn State, is an Editorial Intern with The Sporting Information. As a pupil journalist with The Day by day Collegian, he served as a sports activities editor and coated Nittany Lions girls’s basketball, males’s volleyball and extra. He has additionally coated Penn State soccer for NBC Sports activities and the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette, with further work within the Centre Day by day Occasions, Lancaster On-line and extra. Observe him on X @DanielMader_, or Instagram @dmadersports.
Observe DanielMader_
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