SMU at Penn State: Live updates from the College Football Playoff first-round game
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SMU at Penn State: Live updates from the College Football Playoff first-round game

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

After the College Football Playoff began on Friday with No. 7 Notre Dame taking on No. 10 Indiana, we’re in for a full day of action on Saturday with three games to conclude the first round of the 12-team format.

Time: Noon ET | TV: TNT | Line: Penn State -8.5 | Overall: 54.5

SMU was the last complete team in the playoffs and the reward is a road trip to State College. This game features two exciting dual-threat quarterbacks in SMU’s Kevin Jennings and Penn State’s Drew Allar. For SMU to make a splash, it will likely need to avoid turnovers. The Mustangs have turned the ball over 21 times this season.

Time: 4pm ET | TV: TNT | Line: Texas -12 | Overall: 51.5

Clemson sneaked into the playoffs by pulling out a last-second victory in the ACC title game. Texas, on the other hand, enters the tournament without many winning records, having lost twice to its best opponent, Georgia. If Clemson wants to pull off an upset, it needs to get RB Phil Mafah going; Texas allows just over three yards per carry and is also very stingy with the pass. The Longhorns will count on the steady hand of QB Quinn Ewers, but there’s a chance backup Arch Manning plays a few situational snaps.

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET | TV: ABC/ESPN | Line: Ohio State -7.5 | Overall: 46.5

Ohio State enters the playoffs with a mission while also suffering a painful loss to hated rival Michigan. Can coach Ryan Day get his team back on track? As the over/under ratio shows, it probably won’t be the offensive shootout that many would have predicted before the season started. Both of these teams have offenses that can lead to a big play at any time, but both teams have relied on great defense.

Live16 updates

  • PSU envelope when descending

    The home team moved the ball with ease, but SMU found defensive support when it needed most, forcing a fourth-and-13 and recovering the ball after a Drew Allar pass fell incomplete.

  • The power supply gets it back immediately

    SMU can’t do anything with the ball on the following possession and gives it back to the Nittany Lions. They’ll have it at their own 32 after a bad punt.

  • TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE!

    Penn State got its first points of the game with a pick-6!

    SMU QB Kevin Jennings tried to beat his running back out of the backfield, and PSU’s Dominic DeLuca instead came down with the ball before returning it 23 yards for a touchdown.

    PSU 7, SMU 0

  • SMU stopped on fourth down!

    The Mustangs made it to the red zone, but their drive foundered there when a fourth-down pass fell incomplete. QB Kevin Jennings could have easily let it run and get the first down, but he chose to throw it instead.

    Penn State will take over the downs with its own 19 points.

  • SMU on the rise

    After a few first downs and a pass interference penalty, the Ponies are already past midfield. They pick up the pace early.

  • PSU opened with a punt

    The Nittany Lions couldn’t get anything going on their first possession. It’s a three-and-out and a punt.

  • We are traveling in Happy Valley!

    Penn State will have the ball first. The Nittany Lions are the 9-point favorite in this game.

  • College Football Playoff Picks, Predictions: Who will win the first 12-team playoffs?

    Who will win it all in the College Football Playoff? Here is the prediction. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)Who will win it all in the College Football Playoff? Here is the prediction. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)

    Click on the photo to see all our predictions. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)

  • CFP players to watch, key game: Tennessee at Ohio State

    CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 16: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a reception against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 16: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a reception against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

    Click on the photo above to read the story. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

  • CFP players to watch, key game: Clemson at Texas

    CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Phil Mafah #7 and head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers high five before the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Phil Mafah #7 and head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers high five before the 2024 ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

    Click on the photo above to read the story. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

  • CFP players to watch, key game: SMU at Penn State

    INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 7: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 7: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

    Click on the photo above to read the story. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

  • Ranking potential surprises in the first round

    COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the field before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 30: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the field before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

    Click on the photo above to read the story. (Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

  • Notre Dame’s frenetic home win proves what college football leadership doesn’t want to hear: The postseason belongs on campus

    SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – DECEMBER 20: Jayden Thomas #83 is congratulated by Beaux Collins #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the First Round Playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium in December 20.2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – DECEMBER 20: Jayden Thomas #83 is congratulated by Beaux Collins #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the First Round Playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium in December 20.2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

    Click on the photo above to read the story. (Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

  • Notre Dame dominates Indiana in the opening game of the College Football Playoff, setting up the Sugar Bowl matchup with Georgia

    Notre Dame players celebrate after defeating Indiana 27-17 in the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend, Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)Notre Dame players celebrate after defeating Indiana 27-17 in the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend, Indiana. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    Click on the photo above to read the story. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

  • Good morning folks and welcome to our live College Football Playoff Saturday game tracker!

    We still have about an hour until SMU starts at Penn State. Here you will find reading material to keep you up to date with all the news this week.

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