Penn State’s Fiesta Bowl victory over Boise State was more impressive and entertaining than the final score of 31-14. However, the Nittany Lions jumped out to a 14-0 lead, never trailed, and are now in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
From the seeding debate to James Franklin’s big win, here are 5 takeaways from the CFP quarterfinal matchup.
Penn State 31, Boise State 14: Fiesta Bowl 5 Takeaways
5. Yes, this once again counts as a “big win” for James Franklin
Penn State is in the College Football Playoff semifinals. It provides the winner of the Notre Dame vs. Georgia game with the opportunity to compete for the national championship.
This was a big win for both Penn State and James Franklin.
I get it. If it is not a Big Ten Championship, a win over Ohio State, Michigan, or an SEC school, fans do not respect the program or Franklin.
However, Penn State will finish among the top four in the rankings, or in the top five at worst. It destroyed SMU and defeated Boise State, and now, after failing to reach the CFP in the first ten seasons of the four-team format, it has two playoff victories.
As always, when it comes to coaches who are underappreciated, I will use this line.
If it was so simple to get into the CFP semifinals…
4. Ashton Jeanty went out strong
Everyone spent the entire season trying to stop Jeanty. Every game plan was “stop 2” to prevent the should-have-been Heisman winner from dominating.
Aside from Oregon, Penn State was by far the best defense Jeanty faced, and he gained 104 yards on 30 carries. Even though he did not break Barry Sanders’ single-season record, he had an excellent game.
He had no room to move, which benefited Penn State. Allow Maddux Madsen to throw, and just enough mistakes would occur – three picks from the loaded Nittany Lion secondary – to get out alive. However …
3. The Penn State offensive front has to be even stronger in the next round
It is difficult to argue against 5.3 yards per carry. Boise State’s defensive front could not withstand several punishing drives, and Kayton Allen and Nicholas Singleton ran as if they took the Jeanty hype personally.
However, there is a problem against Notre Dame or Georgia if the pass protection is not improved. Boise State recorded four sacks, Drew Allar only completed half of his passes, and what worked in Glendale is unlikely to work in Miami Gardens.
2. The seed argument is going to be a big one.
Penn State finished fourth in the College Football Playoff rankings and was the sixth seed. Boise State finished ninth and was the third seed.
Meanwhile, Oregon, the undefeated No. 1 team, is getting a huge break by playing… Sixth-ranked Ohio State?
Georgia is ranked second, and it faces Notre Dame, which is ranked fifth?
There is something to be said for not allowing the panel of judges to fully decide the seeds, but if the rankings were used – and there is a MAJOR problem with this given the CFP screwed up its top 25 – Boise State would have gone to Indiana in the first round and Penn State would have played Notre Dame in this round.
1. Penn State is forcing a lot of mistakes.
Boise State had to be perfect, but it wasn’t.
It turned it over four times and received 13 penalties. That all contributed to its success on third downs, outgaining the Nittany Lions, and dominating the time of possession battle.
SMU had to be perfect, but it wasn’t. It turned it over three times, including two pick-sixes, was flagged seven times, and played as if the situation was too big.
Penn State cannot rely on the winner of the Notre Dame-Georgia game to make a significant mistake, but the Nittany Lions have risen to the occasion. Following this, they have forced 12 takeaways in their last five games.
The Penn State passing game needs to improve, as does the pass protection, but the team can keep going. It is in the CFP Semifinals, and by the end of Wednesday, two teams from Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, and Notre Dame will be eliminated.
