NCAAF · 11 months ago

SMU’s 5 Keys to Upsetting Penn State in the CFP

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Find Explosive Plays on Offense
Going on 10-play drives for 75 yards will probably not happen much against this Penn State defense. Success will probably come from explosive chunk plays made by Jennings through the air or Brashard Smith on the ground or after the catch. Smith averages 5.85 yards per carry and has 14 touchdowns on the season. The senior running back has been a revelation all season, and this is his biggest spotlight game. He is SMU’s best chance to strike gold on offense and cause problems for the Penn State defense.

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1. Find Answers on Defense
The SMU Mustangs have faced three opponents among the FBS’s top 25 adjusted offenses: TCU, Louisville, and Clemson. In those three games, the Mustangs allowed 34.3 points per game. Penn State is fourth in the nation in that metric, which is easily the best attack the Mustangs have faced all season. SMU has to find some answers against the Nittany Lions offense, and they'll probably need to force a few turnovers or succeed in the red zone because they have not shown an ability to slow down great offenses on a down-to-down basis.

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2. Slow Penn State's Rushing Attack
SMU has been in the top five in the country against the run for much of the season. They have some real beef on the defensive line, which is a strength for the team. It is fair to say that SMU has not faced many high-caliber rushing attacks, and it is fair to assert that Penn State is by far the best running team they have played all season. Can the SMU rushing defense live up to the numbers they have put forth entering this game? If so, they will have a real shot to pull off the upset.
3. Handle the Road Atmosphere
One of the key elements of the new 12-team College Football Playoff is home-field advantage for the better-seeded team in the first round. That means this is a home game for Penn State in Beaver Stadium. That kind of advantage needs to be a factor in this contest. The weather could be a factor, but the crowd MUST also be a factor. Expect a lot of issues on offense for SMU created by the level of noise from the PSU faithful. This will be an atmosphere the Mustangs have not experienced before. SMU cannot get overwhelmed and make mistakes caused by the weather or a raucous crowd. That is far easier written than done.
4. Protect Kevin Jennings
The Penn State Nittany Lions are seventh in the country in pass rush grading per Pro Football Focus, and that pass rush has to be dialed up on Saturday. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen loves to bring pressure, and he should have the chance to get after quarterback Kevin Jennings. Clemson caused the SMU offense many problems, but Jennings was often able to get out of the pocket and make a play on the run. For SMU to have a chance on Saturday, the offensive line has to play better, and Rhett Lashlee needs to find a way to slow the pass rush of the PSU defense. That could include screens and draws and more run calls for Jennings. Whatever they do, keeping Jennings protected is job number one.
5. Find Explosive Plays on Offense
Going on 10-play drives for 75 yards will probably not happen much against this Penn State defense. Success will probably come from explosive chunk plays made by Jennings through the air or Brashard Smith on the ground or after the catch. Smith averages 5.85 yards per carry and has 14 touchdowns on the season. The senior running back has been a revelation all season, and this is his biggest spotlight game. He is SMU’s best chance to strike gold on offense and cause problems for the Penn State defense.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. Find Answers on Defense
The SMU Mustangs have faced three opponents among the FBS’s top 25 adjusted offenses: TCU, Louisville, and Clemson. In those three games, the Mustangs allowed 34.3 points per game. Penn State is fourth in the nation in that metric, which is easily the best attack the Mustangs have faced all season. SMU has to find some answers against the Nittany Lions offense, and they'll probably need to force a few turnovers or succeed in the red zone because they have not shown an ability to slow down great offenses on a down-to-down basis.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

SMU’s 5 Keys to Upsetting Penn State in the CFP

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