In wonderful land of odds, the early spread for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Penn State and Boise State is quite telling.
Despite Boise State (12-1) being the No. 3 seed and Penn State (12-2) being seeded sixth, Penn State is a 10.5-point favorite per FanDuel Sportsbook.
There are a few reasons for this.
For one, despite being the lower seed, Penn State is the higher-ranked team in the AP Poll (No. 4 vs. No. 9). Penn State also gets more inherent respect because itโs in the Big Ten compared to Boise Stateโs conference, the Mountain West.
But Boise State does have maybe the best player in College Football.
JEANTY, JEANTY, WHO CAN I TURN TO?
EUGENE, OR – SEPTEMBER 07: Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (55) during a college football game between the Oregon Ducks and Boise State Broncos on September 7, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire)
Boise State has a running back in the midst of one of the best college football season ever.
Ashton Jeanty finished runner-up to Coloradoโs Travis Hunter in the Heisman Trophy voting and plenty feel he should have won it.
Through 13 games, Jeanty has rushed forโ youโre not about to misread thisโ 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Heโs 133 yards away from Barry Sandersโ single season NCAA record.
So, yeah, Penn State will have its hands full.
FIESTA FEVER
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin speaks to the crowd after the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl college football game between the Washington Huskies and the Penn State Nittany Lions on December 30, 2017, at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Carlos Herrera/Icon Sportswire)
Penn State has played in seven Fiesta Bowl games and won all of them, which also helps its odds. The first six took place under Joe Paterno. In the James Franklin era, Penn State isโ no pun intendedโ 1-0 in Fiesta Bowl games. The team beat Washington 35-28 in 2017. Leading Penn State was 137 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries from Saquon Barkley.
Penn State-Boise State is scheduled to kick off at 7 on ESPN.
