Fiesta Bowl: Penn State vs Boise State score prediction and preview - Ashton Jeanty, Abdul Carter, Drew Allar among players to watch

Round 2 of the College Football Playoff, Fiesta Bowl, or the quarterfinals if you prefer, kicks off on New Year’s Eve and then continues through the first day of 2025. The initial two games of the quarterfinals could resemble what we saw a week ago, lopsided victories from the teams with the most talent on paper.

Fiesta Bowl: Penn State vs. Boise State Preview

Last week’s contest against SMU wasn't much of a game for Penn State, which easily rolled on to the second round with a 38-10 victory over the Mustangs. The game against Boise State, the only non-Power 5 team to make the 12-team tournament, will be a little more difficult.

Most of the nation will finally set eyes on Ashton Jeanty, the Broncos’ record-setting running back who was second in the closest Heisman Trophy contest.

Jeanty is far and away the premier running back in college football and is a three-down player. He has the vision, patience, and wiggle to pick and choose his way through the inside traffic and the speed and agility to beat opponents around the corner.

Ashton Jeanty - Source: Imagn

Jeanty is more than capable as a pass catcher, accounting for a combined 63 receptions in the past two seasons. He’s also a tremendous NFL prospect and is unlikely to get out of the top 15 selections in next April’s draft.

The left side is the strength of the Boise offensive line and the direction where they run most often. Redshirt sophomore left tackle Kage Casey is a legitimate next-level prospect, while guard Ben Dooley will be signed as an undrafted free agent next May.

Both will have their work cut out, as edge rusher Abdul Carter can be impossible to block. At the same time, frontline defenders Dani Dennis-Sutton and Coziah Izzard are both formidable and come off terrific performances against SMU.

NCAA Football: CFP National Playoff First Round-Southern Methodist at Penn State - Source: Imagn

Even when Boise State can block the trio, linebacker Kobe King and safety Jaylen Reed will be waiting to stop the ball carrier.

The big mismatch in this contest will be when the Nittany Lions possess the football. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen both ran roughshod over SMU, accounting for a combined 160 yards rushing. And there’s always the specter of Drew Allar connecting with tight-end Tyler Warren.

Boise State will be the sentimental favorite as underdogs, yet they must control the ball, score every time they get inside the 40, and pull a rabbit out of the hat trying to contain the PSU offense to have any chance in this game.

Final Score Prediction: Penn State 42, Boise State 18