Penn State vs. SMU Prediction, Odds, Picks - December 21, 2024

Updated Dec. 21, 2024 9:04 a.m. ET

Data Skrive

The College Football Playoff first round will see the No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2) hosting the No. 12 SMU Mustangs (11-2) at 12 p.m. ET at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State is favored in the matchup, by 8.5 points. The game has a point total of 52.5.

Last time out, the Nittany Lions fell to the Oregon Ducks, with 45-37 being the final score. The Mustangs lost against the Clemson Tigers in their last game, 34-31.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

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Penn State vs. SMU Game Information & Odds

When: Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 12 p.m. ET
Location: Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania
TV: TNT
Live Box Score on FOX Sports

More College Football Predictions

Penn State vs SMU Betting Information updated as of December 21, 2024, 8:45 a.m. ET.
Favorite	Spread (Odds)	Favorite Moneyline	Underdog Moneyline	Total	Over Moneyline	Under Moneyline
Penn State	-8.5 (-110)	-323	+254	52.5	-110	-110

Penn State vs. SMU Prediction

Pick ATS: SMU (+8.5)
Pick OU: Over (52.5)
Prediction: Penn State 28, SMU 26

Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.

Learn more about the Penn State Nittany Lions vs. the SMU Mustangs game on FOX Sports!

Penn State vs. SMU Betting Insights

Based on the spread and over/under, the implied score for the game is Nittany Lions 30, Mustangs 22.
The Nittany Lions have a 76.4% chance to collect the win in this game based on the moneyline's implied probability. The Mustangs hold a 28.2% implied probability.
Penn State has won six games against the spread this season, while failing to cover seven times.
SMU has won seven games against the spread this season, failing to cover five times.

Penn State vs. SMU: 2024 Stats Comparison

	Penn State	SMU
Off. Points per Game (Rank)	33.6 (19)	38.5 (6)
Def. Points per Game (Rank)	16.4 (11)	20.8 (38)
Turnovers Allowed (Rank)	12 (26)	21 (106)
Turnovers Forced (Rank)	17 (60)	21 (26)

Penn State 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Drew Allar	QB	2,894 YDS (69.1%) / 21 TD / 7 INT 279 RUSH YDS / 6 RUSH TD / 21.5 RUSH YPG
Tyler Warren	TE	88 REC / 1,062 YDS / 6 TD / 81.7 YPG
Nicholas Singleton	RB	838 YDS / 7 TD / 64.5 YPG / 6.4 YPC 37 REC / 335 REC YDS / 5 REC TD / 25.8 REC YPG
Kaytron Allen	RB	822 YDS / 6 TD / 63.2 YPG / 4.8 YPC 15 REC / 119 REC YDS / 2 REC TD / 10.8 REC YPG
Abdul Carter	DL	47 TKL / 14.0 TFL / 10.0 SACK
Jaylen Reed	DB	54 TKL / 1.0 TFL / 2.0 SACK / 3 INT
Kobe King	LB	48 TKL / 6.0 TFL / 3.0 SACK
Tony Rojas	LB	37 TKL / 4.0 TFL / 1.5 SACK / 2 INT

SMU 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Brashard Smith	RB	1,267 YDS / 14 TD / 97.5 YPG / 5.9 YPC 35 REC / 303 REC YDS / 4 REC TD / 23.3 REC YPG
Kevin Jennings	QB	3,050 YDS (66.0%) / 22 TD / 8 INT 379 RUSH YDS / 5 RUSH TD / 29.2 RUSH YPG
Roderick Daniels Jr.	WR	38 REC / 599 YDS / 3 TD / 46.1 YPG
Keyshawn Smith	WR	31 REC / 512 YDS / 5 TD / 39.4 YPG
Kobe Wilson	LB	92 TKL / 6.0 TFL / 3.0 SACK / 2 INT
Isaiah Nwokobia	DB	76 TKL / 3.0 TFL / 0.5 SACK / 3 INT
Ahmad Walker	LB	64 TKL / 3.0 TFL / 0.5 SACK / 1 INT
Jared Harrison-Hunte	DL	34 TKL / 8.0 TFL / 6.0 SACK / 1 INT