Penn State vs. SMU: Live updates, scores for College Football Playoff first round

Saturday’s College Football Playoff games start at noon in Happy Valley with Penn State playing SMU. The winner of this game will play Boise State for the first time in the quarterfinals, a game for second place in the playoffs.

Despite a conference championship loss to No. 1 Oregon, Penn State receives arguably the most favorable seeding in the 12-team field. Andy Kotelnicki’s offense has been on fire lately, averaging 39.8 points per game. game over the last five contests, including 37 points scored against Oregon in the Big Ten title game. Tight end Tyler Warren is as dynamic a player as you’ll see in college football, and quarterback Drew Allar continues to impress as a likely first-round draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Despite losing on a last-second field goal, SMU nearly overcame a 17-point halftime deficit against Clemson in the ACC championship game, and the Mustangs, in their first year in the conference, went 8-0 against the ACC in the regular season season. Quarterback Kevin Jennings, along with running back Brashard Smith, make up arguably the most electric backfield in college football.