On Tuesday, December 31, the sixth-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions will face the third-seeded Boise State Broncos in the Fiesta Bowl for the quarterfinals of the 2024 College Football Playoffs.

How Both Teams Got Here

Both teams have traveled a long road to reach the quarterfinals of the 2024 College Football Playoffs. Penn State advanced after dominating SMU in the first round. The Nittany Lions secured a 38-10 victory over the 11th-seeded Mustangs, fueled by three first-half interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

On the other hand, Boise State enters the game as Mountain West Conference champions with an 11-game win streak. The Broncos’ only loss came in Week 2 against Oregon, a 37-34 defeat in a late-night game streamed online rather than broadcast live on television. Since that loss, Boise State has won all but three games by more than one score, including a 21-7 victory in the Mountain West Conference title game. This win earned them a first-round bye in the playoffs and set up this matchup against Penn State.

How the Quarterbacks Stack Up

Boise State’s quarterback, Maddux Madsen, beat out former USC quarterback Malachi Nelson, who is now in the transfer portal, to secure the starting role. While overshadowed by Heisman finalist and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Madsen has been remarkably consistent. He has thrown for 2,714 yards and 22 touchdowns with only three interceptions this season, adding five rushing touchdowns. Impressively, he hasn’t thrown an interception in his last four games.

Penn State’s quarterback, Drew Allar, had a quieter performance in the win against SMU, going 13-of-22 for 121 yards. However, he didn’t need to do much, as the Nittany Lions relied on their ground game and excellent field position. Despite the modest outing, Allar surpassed 3,000 passing yards for the season, with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Both quarterbacks will be key players to watch in this matchup, with one likely outshining the other to lead their team to the semifinals.

Players to Watch

Penn State

• TE Tyler Warren: The versatile fifth-year senior leads the team in receptions (92), receiving yards (1,095), and touchdowns (6). Warren finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting, the highest for a tight end in recent history.
• QB Drew Allar: Consistent under center, Allar has passed for over 3,000 yards this season with a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. His pocket mobility will be crucial against Boise State’s formidable defensive line.
• RBs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen: Sharing reps, Singleton has rushed for 928 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Allen has accumulated 892 yards and 10 touchdowns.
• DL Abdul Carter: Carter led the Big Ten with 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks and is projected as a top NFL Draft pick.
• DB Jaylen Reed: A defensive standout with 43 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three interceptions.

Boise State

• RB Ashton Jeanty: The Heisman runner-up has had a historic season, rushing for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. His 125+ rushing yards in 13 straight games showcase his dominance.
• QB Maddux Madsen: Leading the Mountain West in yards per pass attempt (8.36), Madsen has been a reliable playmaker for the Broncos.
• DL Ahmed Hassanein: Hassanein contributed 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, often drawing double teams.
• OL Kage Casey: One of the top offensive linemen in the country, Casey hasn’t allowed a single sack all season.

What to Expect

Boise State is unlikely to commit the kind of turnovers SMU did in the first round. Penn State forced multiple turnovers in that game, marking the seventh time this season they achieved this feat. The Nittany Lion’s defense has been stellar, allowing only 1,405 rushing yards all season and just 3.1 yards per carry. However, stopping Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who averages 6.8 yards per carry, will be critical.

Expect a high-scoring and fast-paced game, with offensive fireworks from both teams. In the end, Penn State is predicted to edge out Boise State 35-28 to advance to the semifinals.

Catch the Fiesta Bowl on ESPN or stream it on Fubo. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM.