The quarterfinal spherical of the Faculty Soccer Playoff kicks off on New 12 months’s Eve as 3-seed Boise State debuts towards 6-seed Penn State. The Nittany Lions attain the quarterfinals recent off crushing 11-seed SMU 38-10 in one of many high performances of the primary spherical. Penn State pressured a pair of decide sixes within the first half to place the sport away.
Boise State earned a first-round bye after a powerful 12-1 season with the one loss coming towards unanimous No. 1 Oregon in Week 2. The Broncos cruised by means of an undefeated Mountain West schedule and solely performed three video games nearer than 14 factors in convention play.
These two applications have by no means met, and now they battle on the most important of levels within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Each applications received their most up-to-date Fiesta Bowl appearances. In reality, the Nittany Lions and Broncos are a mixed 10-0 within the Fiesta Bowl for the reason that sport began in 1971.
Penn State vs. Boise State: Must know
Heisman Trophy finalist: Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty is capping off one of many best seasons in school soccer historical past with an look within the Faculty Soccer Playoff. Jeanty rushed for two,497 yards and 29 touchdowns and is barely 131 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders‘ all-time speeding report. Penn State has solely allowed greater than 131 yards on the bottom towards Oregon and USC this season, so Jeanty could have his work lower out.
Do-everything star: Penn State tight finish Tyler Warren was one of many breakout gamers in school soccer through the 2024 season. Warren emerged as maybe the perfect tight finish in America, catching 92 passes for 1,095 yards and 6 touchdowns, whereas including one other 4 touchdowns on the bottom. He traces up in every single place from inline to fit to middle. Boise State’s go protection ranks No. 109 nationally, and so they haven’t met a participant the caliber of Warren.
Fiesta Bowl historical past: Boise State’s most interesting second as a university soccer program got here within the 2007 Fiesta Bowl in a battle towards No. 7 Oklahoma. In time beyond regulation, Boise State ran a legendary hook-and-ladder play that sprung working again Ian Johnson for a game-winning 2-point conversion. Nonetheless, Penn State has additionally put collectively some historic Fiesta Bowl performances, together with a 14-10 win over Miami in 1987 to seize the 1986 AP nationwide championship.
The place to look at Fiesta Bowl reside
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Stadium — Glendale, Arizona
TV: ESPN | Stay stream: Fubo (Attempt without cost)
Fiesta Bowl prediction, picks
Penn State was in a position to benefit from miscues from SMU, however the Broncos hardly ever make errors. In reality, Boise State is tied for No. 2 nationally in turnovers misplaced with solely 4 fumbles and 4 interceptions. Even the regular Nittany Lions had 13 turnovers. In the end, it means the sport will keep nearer than anticipated for 4 quarters. Choose: Boise State +11
SportsLine’s confirmed pc mannequin is asking for 10 outright upsets throughout school soccer’s bowl and playoff season. Go to SportsLine now to see all of them, plus get unfold picks for each sport from the mannequin that simulates each matchup 10,000 occasions.