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\u2019s squad now not is on the surface trying in.
Saturday marks Penn State\u2019s 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\u2019s most harmful squads within the common season earlier than shedding to Clemson within the ACC Championship Sport. How will Penn State<\/strong><\/a> 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\u2019s Eve.\u00a0\u00a0
RELATED: Penn State vs. SMU gameday guide<\/strong><\/a>
Earlier than departing for the transfer portal<\/strong><\/a>, quarterback Beau Pribula sprinkled his impression all through Penn State\u2019s 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.\u00a0
With out Pribula, Penn State should adjust its offense<\/strong><\/a>. The Nittany Lions\u2019 floor sport turns into extra attention-grabbing. Even with the working backs, Allar\u2019s scrambling potential and Tyler Warren<\/strong><\/a>, 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<\/strong><\/a> regardless of not enjoying a snap in 2024.
\u201c[Grunkemeyer has] accomplished a very good job of placing himself on this place,\u201d Franklin mentioned. \u201cWe’ve got a variety of confidence in him, and he\u2019s getting a ton of reps this week.\u201d
Allar\u2019s impression, and well being, could also be Penn State\u2019s 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\u2019s offense hung round with the nation\u2019s top-ranked crew. However Allar additionally threw two interceptions, errors the Nittany Lions couldn\u2019t overcome then and certainly can\u2019t afford now.\u00a0
Contemplating SMU\u2019s protection ranks fourth at stopping the run (93.4 yards allowed per sport), Allar\u2019s arm may swing Saturday\u2019s final result. According to CBS Sports<\/strong><\/a>, the Mustangs\u2019 protection allowed 627 receiving yards to tight ends this season, which ranked 129th in FBS \u2014 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.\u00a0
Franklin additionally famous Wednesday that the Nittany Lions haven\u2019t confronted a quarterback fairly similar to SMU\u2019s Kevin Jennings<\/strong><\/a> this season. Able to beating groups along with his arm and legs, Jennings has managed the Mustangs\u2019 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<\/strong><\/a>, Jennings ranks second in FBS in passer effectivity (156.4) when pressured. This isn\u2019t a matchup through which Penn State will be capable of depend on Abdul Carter<\/strong><\/a> and its defensive position to close down the opposing offense. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen\u2019s unit will must be ready for Jennings\u2019 dashing potential and canopy his receivers longer as he scrambles whereas additionally shutting down Brashard Smith and the Mustangs\u2019 run sport.\u00a0
\u201c[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,\u201d Allen mentioned Tuesday. \u201cHe's a man that creates a variety of challenges for each protection, every week, and that's why they've had a lot success.\u201d
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\u2019t be straightforward, so Penn State\u2019s potential to regulate and restrict Jennings\u2019 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\u2019s 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\u2019t completely harm SMU, both. Regardless of giving the ball away 21 occasions, Rhett Lashlee\u2019s squad<\/strong><\/a> has additionally gained 21 turnovers. And SMU\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.\u00a0
With Allar coming off a two-interception efficiency vs. Oregon, every quarterback\u2019s 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.\u00a0
\u201cThat is what we work for. That is one thing we've been speaking about since I've been right here,\u201d Carter mentioned. \u201cOne 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\u2019ve obtained to do every little thing in our energy to ensure we reap the benefits of that chance.\u201d
Penn State will face SMU in Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is about for midday ET on TNT.
James Franklin can reach a milestone win vs. SMU<\/a>
Penn State put on upset alert against the Mustangs<\/a>
Penn State would like to welcome SMU to central Pennsylvania in December<\/a>
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\u2019s basketball, males\u2019s 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 <\/em>@DanielMader_<\/em><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 or Instagram <\/em>@dmadersports<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>
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\u2019s basketball, males\u2019s 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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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\u2019s squad now not is on the surface trying in.Saturday marks Penn State\u2019s first […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-262546","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n