Sixth-seed (fourth-ranked) Penn State faces 3rd-seed (9th-ranked) Boise State in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs (CFP). The game will take place at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. It follows Penn State’s first-round historic win over SMU. Boise State will make its CFP debut after a first-round bye.
Penn State is riding the momentum of winning the first-ever playoff game at Beaver Stadium. As games move to neutral sites, if there is any bowl where the Nittany Lions would feel at home, the Fiesta Bowl is it. This will be Penn State’s eighth appearance in the Fiesta Bowl, coming in with a record of 7-0. Penn State clinched the 1986 National Championship there. Boise State is also undefeated at the Fiesta Bowl, coming in with a record of 3-0, highlighted by the Broncos win over Oklahoma in 2006 to finish a 13-0 season. The Broncos are the last non-Power Five conference team to win the Fiesta. No matter who wins this game, history will be made in Glendale, Arizona on New Year’s Eve.
If Penn State’s round one victory over SMU is any indication, this quarterfinal will be played and coached very aggressively. Penn State head coach James Franklin alluded to this in his Monday press conference. He talked about the “chess match” between the coaching staff to maximize the impact of each team’s star players, who are consequently the key players to watch for this game.
#6 Penn State (12-2) Takes on #3 Boise State (12-1): CFP Quarterfinals
When & Where: Tuesday, December 31st, 7:30 pm ET, at Glendale, Arizona (State Farm Stadium)
Last Game’s Results: Penn State defeated SMU 38-10 at home in the first round of the CFP. Boise State was last in action at home in the Mountain West Conference championship game. The Broncos defeated #19 UNLV by the score of 21-7.
Last Season’s Results: Penn State finished ranked #13 after a 10-3 season that ended with a Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss. Boise State finished with a record of 8-6, in a season that ended with a Mountain West Conference championship, but a 35-22 loss to UCLA in the LA Bowl.
Series History: The CFP Quarterfinals will be the first time Penn State and Boise State face off.
Penn State vs. Boise State Preview: Key Players to Watch
Penn State Defensive End Abdul Carter
When analyzing the Penn State defense, it is obvious that defensive end Abdul Carter is one of the most talented players on the field. In fact, recently he has clearly been the best player on the field.
This season is Carter’s first at defensive end, following a move from linebacker. As a leader of the defense, he retained the highly coveted and respected uniform number 11. Carter’s year started rocky, failing to make as much of an impact as expected early in the season. However, through the year, quiet games became impact games. Penalties against Carter became penalties drawn by quarter. He finished 2024 as the Big Ten conference leader in tackles for loss by a longshot and enters this game with 21.5. This is a nod to the impact Carter has had on the running game. He has also produced 11 sacks on the season, an ode to his obvious impact on the passing game as well.
Carter can impact both the opponent’s rushing attack and passing game. Additionally, he is a focal point for the other team’s offensive coaches to gameplan around. His ability to affect the game directly and open up lanes for teammates to have their own impact makes Carter a player to watch in the CFP quarterfinals.
Boise State Running Back Ashton Jeanty
There are few players in college football as electrifying as Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. To call Jeanty an anomaly is an understatement. He is a combination of speed, power, and strong running and pass-catching ability. Jeanty was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy this year and would have won it in most other years. As Franklin commented about Boise State’s offense, “It all starts and revolves around Jeanty.”
The statistics that Jeanty put together this season are off the charts. He has led the nation by running for 2,497 yards (and tied for the lead with 29 touchdowns). Omarion Hampton of UNC, who will be competing in the Fenway Bowl, was second with 1,660 yards. Perhaps more impressive, Jeanty has about 1,300 yards after contact. Franklin called it a ridiculous stat and noted that Jeanty has “More yards after contact than most of the elite running backs in college football have in general.” This is in stark contrast to the two-headed running back monster that Penn State boasts with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Jeanty also gets involved in the passing game, with 20 receptions and a touchdown.
Boise State’s offense goes through Jeanty. Everyone knows that, but no one has been able to stop it, as his yards after contact attest to. He has had 30 or more carries in seven of his last eight games. Franklin said on Monday “He’s a beast in terms of his production on the field, and his durability.” Jeanty’s ability to continue to carry the load for the Boise State offense, against a tough Penn State defense, makes him a player to watch in the CFP quarterfinals.
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