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

On By Littum

Following the College Football Playoff, Friday began with Notre Dame No. 7, who handled no. 10 Indiana, Saturday gives us a full day of three-game action that concludes the first round of the 12-team format.

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

SMU was the last at-large team in the playoffs, and its 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 succeed, it will likely need to avoid turnovers. The Mustangs have turned the ball over 21 times this season.

Time: 4:00 PM ET | TV: TNT | Line: Texas -12 | Total: 51.5

Clemson snuck into the playoffs by pulling off a last-second victory in the ACC title game. Texas, meanwhile, enters without many signature wins after losing twice to its best opponent: Georgia. If Clemson wants to pull off the upset, it will need to get RB Phil Mafah going; Texas gives up just over three yards a carry and is also very stingy against the pass. The Longhorns will count on the steady hand of QB Quinn Ewers, but there’s a chance we’ll see backup Arch Manning play a few situational snaps.

Time: 8:00 PM ET | TV: ABC/ESPN | Line: Ohio State -7.5 | Total: 46.5

Ohio State enters the playoffs on a mission while coming off a painful loss to hated rival Michigan. Can coach Ryan Day get his team back on track? As the over/under indicates, this likely won’t be the offensive shootout that many would have predicted before the season began. These two teams have offenses that can hit a big play at any time, but both teams have relied on excellent defenses.

Live15 updates

  • PSU gets it right away

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

  • TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE!

    Penn State has the first point of the game on a pick-6!

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

    PSU 7, SMU 0

  • SMU stalled on fourth down!

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

    Penn State will take over on downs at its own 19.

  • SMU on the march

    The Ponies are past midfield already after a couple of first downs and a pass interference penalty. They pick up the pace early.

  • PSU opens with a punt

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

  • We’re underway in Happy Valley!

    Penn State wants the ball first. The Nittany Lions are 9-point favorites in this one.

  • College Football Playoff picks, predictions: Who will win first 12-team playoff?

    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 image to see all our predictions. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)

  • CFP players to watch, key to the 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 in 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 in the first half at Wrigley Field on November 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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

  • CFP players to watch, key to the 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 7, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo: 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 7, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo: Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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

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

    INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 7: Nicholas Singleton #10 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs 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 runs 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 image above to read the story. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

  • Ranking of the potential upsets in the first round

    COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day lines up to take the field prior to a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo: Ben Jackson/Getty Images)COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day lines up to take the field prior to a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo: Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

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

  • Notre Dame’s crazy home win proves what college football brass 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 Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on 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 Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on December 20, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

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

  • Notre Dame dominates Indiana in College Football Playoff opener to set up Sugar Bowl matchup against Georgia

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

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

  • Good morning folks, and welcome to our live tracker for Saturday’s College Football Playoff games!

    We still have about an hour before kickoff of SMU at Penn State, so here’s some reading material to catch you up on all the news from this week.