OFFICIAL: SMU vs PENN ST. PREDICTIONS & ROLL CALL

[ALEX LIFESON]

I've been doing this prediction thread for years, never dreamed, I would be doing one for the CFP.
Ponies are 8-9 point underdogs. Temperatures fluctuate a bit everyday, but right now, 25 degrees, 20% chance of snow and 12-14 mile an hour bitter winds. Beaver Stadium, has a 106,572 seating capacity.
Needless to say, all categories, are virgin territory for our Mustangs. Unlike the Clemson game, we won't have to wait all day for the game, 11:00 kickoff on TNT television. If the Mustangs can shock the football world, we will face Boise St. in the Fiesta Bowl on New Years Eve. Let's have your prediction for this historic game and who is going. Pony Up!

[peruna81]

Safely battling December frozen weather this Saturday in College Station...ahem.

Ponies find a way to not come out scared, and we win by a late FG. 33-30.

[GHammond]

I predict a low scoring game - SMU 24 Pedi U 15

[highlander]

Winds and snow make it really hard to complete passes. Allar gets hurt in the first quarter, and PSU's best backup QB left for the portal. The game devolves into a grind-it-out handoff fest. Penn St cannot stop the Brashard-LJ-McFall Cerberus. Ponies win 20-13.

[SMU Pony Mom]

I’m staying positive and thinking 23-14 SMU! Unfortunately my husband is unable to attend but I will be there plus my brother and sister in law who unfortunately will be rooting for Penn State (their son, my nephew, graduated from PSU in ‘23). So when you see 2 people in Penn State gear at the pregame party and SMU section, please don’t be too [deleted] them haha. I will make up for it screaming for SMU I can assure you!

[EastStang]

I'm torn. Up until last week I was 100% wrong in my predictions. So, now do I pick us to lose which in the past helped them to win, or do I pick them to win. My gut says we now have played in cold weather in the ACC Championship, so we are probably ready for the cold weather. We won't have Peruna and have never lost on the road this year without Peruna. But it will be 103,000 screaming PSU fans against 3500 SMU fans. So, lots of room for false starts Will the SEC refs want to make the CFP Committee look bad for choosing us over Alabama? Or do they want the Big Ten to get one of their teams beaten down? Or will they be neutral? Vegas has us as 8.5 point underdogs and they know their stuff. But I think our defense has been under appreciated all year. If we can stuff their runs, and put the game on the back of their QB, we can win this game. That's the question. So, my guess is a 28-28 tie after regulation and who knows after that.

[crazy horse]

38-14 Go Ponies!

[RunningStang]

Winner of this game has a path to the semi-finals as I think the winner will beat Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.



Statistically, Penn State has a better offense and defense. Our scoring offense is slightly better, but Penn State’s scoring defense is a lot better. We give up around 20 points a game and Penn State’s scoring defense gives up around 16 points a game.

Factors against SMU:

1. Crowd will be the largest and most hostile SMU may have faced in their history. So handling the stage will be key. Cannot duplicate the 1st quarter of the ACC Championship or this will get ugly quick.

2. Weather wise, it will be very cold and probably the coldest in decades.

Factors for SMU:

1. James Franklin is 3-17 against AP top 12 teams at Penn State including 0-2 this year.

2. SMU’s run defense is legit - number 4 in the country and plays right to Penn State’s rushing game - number 18. If SMU can win the running game on defense, they have a shot.

Prediction: This will be a good game. Closer than you think, but I don’t see how SMU can pull this off. Penn State 31-27. Prove me wrong Mustangs!!!

Should set them up for a bigger 2025!

And I will be representing SMU at the official watch party in Austin.


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[Dukie]

SMU 7, Penn State 3. Because reasons.

[PonyME]

Low scoring game, a late 4th Quarter TD run by Jennings gives us the victory, 20-17.

[Jimmy78Pony]

Did weather, until we warmed up, cost us 7, 14 or 0 points in Charlotte? I think the weather costs us 7 in this game and although my heart says Ponies, my head says PSA 21-14.

[indianmustang]

Did weather, until we warmed up, cost us 7, 14 or 0 points in Charlotte? I think the weather costs us 7 in this game and although my heart says Ponies, my head says PSA 21-14.

no mistakes we will be in game,any errors we are out of it

[Arkpony]

We’ve got this! I’ve booked my airfare to the Fiesta Bowl with a stopover in Las Vegas to see USC play A&M on the 27th.

[JoeKidd]

Mustangs - 27
Ped State - 13

Defense dominates and Brashard, Roderick and McCall show of their speed in open space.

We're flying up 11 and will be part of the 3,500 strong.

Go 'Stangs!

[EastStang]

Turns out I have an extra ticket to the game in the SMU lower bowl section. I'm driving up from DC area and driving back after the game. If someone wants the ticket pm me.