On New Year's Eve, the college football world will turn its attention to Glendale, Arizona, where No. 3 Boise State is set to clash with No. 6 Penn State in the highly anticipated Fiesta Bowl. This quarterfinal matchup not only marks the first time these two storied programs will meet on the field but also showcases their combined sparkling records in this prestigious bowl game: Boise State is 3-0, and Penn State is 7-0.
The stakes are high as both teams vie for the chance to move on to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, with the kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. This Fiesta Bowl has historically been known for thrilling contests, and this year's edition promises to be no different, drawing excitement from fans nationwide.
Boise State enters this contest fresh off their Mountain West Conference title, having received a bye, setting up this battle against the Nittany Lions, who demonstrated dominance with their impressive 38-10 victory over SMU. During this past match, Penn State's defense shone bright, returning two interceptions for touchdowns and stifling SMU's typically potent offense, which had averaged at least 28 points over its last ten games.
Highlighted as one of the nation’s premier offenses, Boise State ranks fourth in scoring offense (39.1 points per game), fifth in rushing offense (250.5 yards per game), and sixth in total offense (470.2 yards per game). Leading the charge for the Broncos is standout running back Ashton Jeanty, who has been electric this season. Jeanty finished with 2,497 rushing yards, placing him within just 132 yards of breaking Barry Sanders' record of 2,628 rushing yards set back in 1988.
Jeanty's remarkable performance this season and his ability to push his team to success make him one of the players to watch. His prowess as the Doak Walker and Maxwell award winner has cemented his status as one of college football’s elite. With every opportunity, Jeanty has proven difficult to stop, making him the focal point of Boise State's game plan.
Defensively, Boise State is led by edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan, who has registered 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss this season. Boasting depth with four players earning five or more sacks, the Broncos have the second-most sacks nationally at 51. Their ability to pressure the quarterback will be tested as they face Penn State's dynamic offense.
On the other side of the field, Penn State will look to exploit its variety of offensive weapons. At the helm is quarterback Drew Allar, who has shown great poise this season, with tight end Tyler Warren being one of his key targets. Warren, the Mackey award winner, holds the record for receptions (92) and receiving yards (1,095) for tight ends within the Big Ten. Even though he had a quieter outing against SMU, his ability to create mismatches will be pivotal under the spotlight of the Fiesta Bowl.
On the defensive side, one should keep an eye on Abdul Carter, who possesses the kind of game-changing potential necessary for big-stage performances. Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous first-team All-American, has tallied 11 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, placing him among the nation's leading defenders. His skill set makes him integral to maintaining defensive pressure against the high-octane Boise State offense.
Historically, both programs have carved their legacies through significant Fiesta Bowl victories. The Nittany Lions’ last win came against Washington back in 2017, but their most notable victory dates back to 1987 when they triumphed over the top-ranked Miami team to clinch the national championship. Boise State, too, has left its mark on the Fiesta Bowl, with its renowned upset over Oklahoma during the 2007 season, which still echoes through college football lore.
This rich history adds layers of intrigue to this high-stakes matchup. Erik Moses, executive director of the Fiesta Sports Foundation, expressed excitement at hosting this historical first meeting, noting the passionate fan bases of both teams and the quality of football expected to take place.
Fans of college football can anticipate not just great plays but perhaps also record-breaking performances with Jeanty's quest for the all-time rushing record serving as the backdrop to this thrilling contest. The atmosphere promises to be electric, with two teams proud of their untarnished Fiesta Bowl records going head to head.
With everything on the line, the winner of this matchup will not only have bragging rights but will also advance to face either Georgia or Notre Dame—the latter match-ups taking place on New Year's Day. For both teams, each play will hold monumental significance, and college football aficionados will certainly not want to miss out on this historic clash.
