Quarter-final CFP: Boise State vs. Penn State
Sorry I took so long to write this. I have been ill for a few days, resulting in my lack of motivation. However, I don’t intend to spare you my bullshit about this game because it’s, like, important. Frankly, I think the bowl games and the CFP are royally screwed this year, but you knew that. Opt-outs, transfer portal, the almighty NFL Draft, and greed have perverted the whole end of year thing into a charade.
So, what have we here? Boise State beat everybody on their schedule this year except Oregon, who they battled to a 37-34 loss. Their major weapon is running back Ashton Jeanty, whose rushing output was 2,497 yards on 344 carries, a whopping average of 7.3 yards per carry. Against Oregon, he rang up 192 yards. He had six games over 200 yards. His lowest totals are 127 yards against Portland State and 128 against UNLV. He’s scored 29 touchdowns.
So, the big question: Can Penn State stop Ashton Jeanty. They’re going to try like hell, but Carnac is visualizing lots of missed tackles as Jeanty makes his way into the Penn State secondary multiple times. So, the collateral question is whether Penn State can provide enough offense to surmount the Boise State rushing attack. Quarterback Maddux Madsen produced numbers like Drew Allar’s, but he is only 5’10” tall.
For some odd reason, Penn State is favored by 11.5. This screams “overlay!”. Why so big a spread? I have a funny feeling about this one. To get through this round, the Nittany Lions will need to exploit Boise State’s pass defense. Drew Allar had an off day against SMU, so he better have his act together for this one. Otherwise, one and done.
Da Wedda
Doesn’t really matter, as it is the Fiesta Bowl, which is indoors with the field being a drawer so it can get some sun to grow the grass. The roof is retractable, but for the record, the weather will in the 60s and partly sunny.
Da Bottom Line
So, Penn State will spot Boise State the first 10 points. Tradition! We’re a second-half team. All that bullshit! To go 1-0 this week, the Nittany Lions better not be playing out of a deep hole. I’m going to be uncharacteristically optimistic here. I think Drew Allar will be up to the task this week (he better) and the Lions will prevail. Jeanty will run for over 125 yards and will score three touchdowns. However, Penn State will prevail, 31-27. I’m taking the over.
