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SMU at Penn State Preview & Picks – Nittany Lions To Roar In College Football Playoffs
- SMU at Penn State picks for Saturday, December 21
- Playoff First-Round Game is taking place at Beaver Stadium
- Preview, predictions, stats & form
(Getty Images)
- SMU at Penn State Preview & Picks
- Head To Head
- SMU Form
- Penn State Form
SMU at Penn State Preview & Picks
SMU at Penn State Preview & Picks
Penn State are tipped to cover as they advance in the College Football Playoffs.
The Nittany Lions have a run game that can control the clock and a strong defense that is capable of making some key stops.
- Penn State are 11-2 this season
- Penn State are 2-0-0 ATS as a single digit betting favorite
- The Over has cashed in each of Penn State’s last 4 games
- The Over has hit in 7 of SMU’s previous 10 games
Head To Head
- Penn State lead the all-time series 1-0-1
- Penn State won 26-21 when the two teams last met in 1978
SMU Form
SMU go into the first round of the College Football Playoffs looking to rebound from a heart-breaking defeat in the ACC Championship Game.
The Mustangs compiled an 11-1 regular season record and went 8-0 in conference play to earn their place in the conference championship and a spot in the top 10 in the rankings.
That run included two wins over ranked ACC opposition, as they beat Louisville 34-27 on the road and Pitt 48-25 at home.
However, SMU failed to keep their red-hot run going when they faced Clemson in the ACC Championship Game at the start of the month.
The Mustangs staged a big second-half fightback, only to give up a walk-off field goal to lose 34-31 to the Tigers.
Penn State Form
Penn State also enter the College Football Playoffs looking to bounce back from defeat in a conference championship game.
The Nittany Lions opened the season with a seven-game win streak, which was finally ended by a 20-13 defeat to Ohio State in the battle of two top-five teams.
They rebounded well though, reeling off four consecutive victories to claim their place in the Big Ten Championship after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan.
Penn State were paired with the number one team in the nation, Oregon, and came up short despite an impressive effort.
The Nittany Lions pushed the Ducks to the limit in a high-scoring game, but ultimately came up short as they lost 45-37.
Verdict
Penn State may have lost last time out, but there was no shame in losing to Oregon.
The Nittany Lions are the more talented and well-round team in this one, so we expect a response as they progress to the next round.
The Nittany Lions are the more talented and well-round team in this one, so we expect a response as they progress to the next round.
Penn State -8.5
Spread
@-111.11 - 4 Units
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Over 53.5
Total Points
@-111.11 - 2 Units
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