(Photo: Fiesta Bowl)
College Football Playoff- Quarterfinals
(6 Penn State Nittany Lions at (3) Boise State Broncos
Penn State: I was asked who looked the best in the first round of the College Football Playoff last week and immediately, I said Notre Dame was the most business-like of the four games. Right after that, you can give the Ohio State Buckeyes some love, and deservedly so, but I believe the best defensive performance took place at Beaver Stadium in Happy Valley last Saturday afternoon. Before this game, I saw them play the Oregon Ducks in the Big Ten title game and they gave them all they could handle by playing them tough, but against the SMU Mustangs, this was the best game they’ve played all season long and the results showed it. It was such a dominant win for the Nittany Lions as they set the tone from the opening kickoff and the defense was stellar. It’s one thing for a defense today to record one pick-six, but they recorded two and truly set the tone going into the half and never let their foot off the gas pedal. The offense didn’t have to do much but control things, not turn the ball over and most importantly, not lose the game. It’s a beautiful thing when a defense can come together and put forward the effort they did and all the offense needs to do is win the Time of Possession battle. James Franklin has his first playoff win under his belt and will look for another on New Year’s Eve in Arizona against the champions of the Mountain West.
Boise State: So many said they didn’t deserve to be a top-three seed in the bracket this year and as expected, the conference they played in is being held against them. All I saw was a team who handled their business and won football games consistently and I couldn’t care less about the conference they play in. If you win, you win and I think that’s the most important thing on the minds of many. No, they are far from getting the attention that an Alabama or Georgia would get and it’s not the first place many young players would consider when on the path to picking where they’ll play in the fall, but they were a special group this year. They are riding an 11-game winning streak and won their conference championship. So yes, the Boise State Broncos do deserve to be here and it’s no secret how they got this far: Ashton Jeanty. He was the best player at his position this season and one of the best all-around players in the country this year. Teams would load up the box regularly when facing Boise State, but it didn’t matter because Ashton would get his and he obliterated defenses weekly en route to New York City as a Heisman candidate. However, it hasn’t been just Ashton. Maddox Madsen, the Quarterback has also held his own as he was one of the more efficient signal callers as he threw 29 touchdown passes and three interceptions. Outside of the Running Back, they may not have the biggest names, but they play together and that’s all you can ask for. On Tuesday, they will make their playoff debut.
Penn State X-Factor: Dominic DeLuca– This Penn State defense is full of playmakers and this is one of them. Dominic is a regular contributor to one of the best defenses in the country and it’s difficult keeping him off the field. When I watch him, I see a kid who loves the game of football and always wants to make the best possible play for his defense. Dominic is quick, athletic, and instinctive with versatility as he can stop the run, and force fumbles and his specialty is keeping his eyes on the Quarterback to make the interception. His awareness is what separates him from many of his teammates.
Boise State X-Factor: Maddux Madsen– It’s not much of a question what they will get from Jeanty because we know he’ll deliver as often as he can. This is where we need to see Maddux rise to the occasion here. Maddux has a quick release, solid footwork, and great quickness with his feet to move the chains. He plays with a certain toughness and knows how to spread the football around to the open receiver. He also has great vision and scans the entire field with anticipation. Maddux has taken care of the ball and that will need to be the case against Penn State.
Final Thoughts: What an intriguing matchup this should be! There’s a ton of power at the Running Back position in this game with Ashton Jeanty of course, then you have Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen of Penn State who are two vital pieces to the puzzle for the Nittany Lions. The biggest key to the game for Penn State is getting to Ashton before he can break away into open space. This is where Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis-Sutton, and the others must step up and deliver. Once Ashton escapes into space, it’s a wrap. Also, Penn State must get the Broncos into long-yardage situations and make them a passing team. On the Boise State side, taking care of the ball is a must against this opportunistic defense and you saw what happened with SMU, once they turned the ball over, they dug themselves into a hole. If they can avoid those long-yardage situations and take care of the ball, they will have a chance in this game. I see Penn State finding a way to slow down Ashton in this game. I like Penn State to win and advance in this one!
Prediction: Penn State 34, Boise State 24
