College Football Playoff Predictions: Fiesta Bowl Showdown Between Penn State and Boise State

The College Football Playoff quarterfinal is set to deliver fireworks as No. 3 Boise State takes on Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. This highly anticipated New Year’s Eve clash in Glendale, Arizona, is steeped in history and high stakes. Boise State returns to the venue where they achieved iconic victories against Oklahoma (2006), TCU, and Arizona. Meanwhile, Penn State seeks its first national title since 1986, looking to prove its mettle in high-pressure games under coach James Franklin.

Boise State: Underdog Spirit and Ashton Jeanty’s Brilliance
Boise State’s offense is powered by Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, a force to reckon with in the backfield. The Broncos have thrived with a +7 turnover margin, indicating their knack for capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes. Expect Boise State to dig deep into their playbook, utilizing Jeanty’s versatility and game-breaking abilities to challenge Penn State’s elite defense.

Penn State: Aiming to Dominate Both Lines of Scrimmage

The Nittany Lions bring a balanced approach, led by quarterback Drew Allar and a punishing rushing duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Their defense, one of the nation’s best against the run, will aim to neutralize Jeanty early, forcing Boise State to test Penn State’s secondary. Franklin’s team has been solid in recent games, including a convincing win over SMU in the first round, and enters this matchup as a significant favorite.

Expert Predictions for the Fiesta Bowl

1. Jordan Mendoza: Jeanty scores but struggles overall against Penn State’s dominant defense. Penn State 23, Boise State 16.
2. Scooby Axson: Boise State will throw everything they have at Penn State, but the Nittany Lions’ depth prevails. Penn State 30, Boise State 20.
3. Dan Wolken: Penn State’s dominance in the trenches secures the victory despite Jeanty’s flashes of brilliance. Penn State 26, Boise State 17.
4. Erick Smith: Boise State’s upset narrative fades against Penn State’s speed and physicality. Penn State 30, Boise State 14.
5. Paul Myerberg: Penn State’s defense limits Jeanty’s impact, controlling both lines of scrimmage for a steady win. Penn State 28, Boise State 17.
6. Eddie Timanus: Boise State’s underdog mentality shines, pulling off a narrow upset. Boise State 28, Penn State 24.

Final Thoughts
While Boise State brings the history and spirit of underdogs, Penn State’s depth, physicality, and consistency give them the edge in this quarterfinal showdown. Can Boise State create another Fiesta Bowl miracle? Tune in to find out!