Ahead of their second game against strong opponents this season in the playoff quarterfinals, Boise State Spencer Danielson noted what he noticed while preparing Penn State Nittany Lions.

Danielson spoke about the Broncos’ opponent in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve during a press conference earlier this week. The first thing he sees is a compliment to James Franklin, considering how well his team is playing.

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“How well trained they are,” Danielson said. “I mean, there is – in all three phases. They receive excellent training in all three phases. Very, very talented across the board. But they don’t just walk around. They are extremely well trained. They are disciplined in all three phases.”

Penn State, the Big Ten’s runner-up, meets them next week in Glendale. The Nittany Lions are now 12-2 overall after their opening playoff win of 38-3 SMU.

Of her team, however, Danielson praised the defense, especially after forcing three more turnovers, two of which were pick-sixes. There were also two turnovers on downs in the first half against the Mustangs, with four of the five leading to touchdowns for them.

“I mean, are you talking from the beginning to the end of the game? I mean, it just started creating takeaways so quickly through their defense,” Danielson said. “There was no training whatsoever in the game.”

Danielson has seen enough on tape to know what awaits Boise State on Tuesday at State Farm Stadium. But who will they play against now that first place in the semi-finals is at stake for both?

“Of course, if you can watch the movie and slow it down in your office, but even if you watch it live? I think that was clearly visible to me,” Danielson said.