The College Football Playoffs are now accessible at Penn State. However, in the first round, who and where will the Nittany Lions play? In the first-ever 12-team field, where is Penn State ranked?
In the College Football Playoffs, Penn State, ranked sixth, will play SMU, ranked eleventh. The Mustangs will play the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium.
On either Friday, December 20, or Saturday, December 21, Penn State and SMU will play each other. It is anticipated that the dates and times for the CFP first round will be revealed later on Sunday afternoon.
After the Mustangs lost to Clemson on a game-winning field goal in Saturday night’s ACC championship game, SMU entered the field over three-loss Alabama.
James Franklin’s team will play No. 3 seed Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals if Penn State defeats SMU. The Broncos are the Mountain West champs and have only lost once this season, to Oregon in September, courtesy to Heisman-caliber running back Ashton Jeanty.
Following a close defeat to Oregon in Saturday night’s Big Ten championship game, Penn State earned the sixth seed and a respectable draw. The Nittany Lions lost 45-37 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, going head-to-head with the nation’s top squad.
With their lone defeat at Ohio State, the Nittany Lions concluded the regular season with an 11-1 record. After an unexpected loss to Michigan in the regular season finale, the Buckeyes lost their position in Indianapolis and were predicted to play Oregon in the league title game.
Everyone was disappointed by Penn State’s loss to the Big Ten title. Against Oregon, the Nittany Lions committed errors that were penalized. The Ducks took an early lead thanks to personal foul penalties and two interceptions from Drew Allar.
The Nittany Lions, however, fought back. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for 229 rushing yards, Allar made some spectacular throws, and Penn State overcame an 18-point deficit in the first half to win the game. Players discussed the necessity to move past the devastating defeat in order to focus on the College Football Playoffs after the game.
According to tight end Tyler Warren, “we’re obviously disappointed that we didn’t get to come out with the win.” However, it’s realizing that we still have a lot to play for and that the season is still in progress. We are as much a part of the race as everyone else.
Along with No. 1 seed Oregon, No. 8 seed Ohio State, and No. 10 seed Indiana, Penn State is one of four Big Ten teams in the 12-team field.
Remember that the top five conference winners and seven at-large teams make up the 12-team CFP. The four top-ranked conference winners receive first-round byes. The games of the first round will take place on campus. This is the complete CFP field.
Byes in the first round
Oregon (Big Ten champion) at number one
Georgia (SEC champion) at number two
Boise State (Mountain West champion) at number three
Arizona State (Big 12 champion) at number four
Games in the first round
Texas at No. 5 against No. 12 Clemson (ACC champion).
No. 6 Penn State at. No. 11 SMU
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Indiana
No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee
Qualifaction matches
Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Sugar Bowl are neutral venues for the quarterfinals.
No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State/No. 9 Tennessee victor
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame/No. 10 Indiana winner
No. 3 Boise State vs. No. 6 Penn State/No. 11 SMU victor
No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Texas/No. 12 Clemson victor
Games in the semifinals
January 9: Miami’s Orange Bowl
January 10: Arlington, Texas’s Cotton Bowl Classic
National title
January 20: Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Stories by
Johnny McGonigal
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