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No. 6 Penn State, No. 11 SMU Ready to Battle the Elements in State College

Tyler Warren | TE Penn State — © Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

If you’re heading out to State College, Penn. for the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2) first-ever College Football Playoff game against No. 11 SMU Mustangs (11-2) expect it to be cold. It will not just be “a bit nippy outside,” it will be freezing with the temperature at 26 degrees and winds blowing at 15 miles per hour. When SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee was asked about the weather he said, “Penn State has to play in it as well.”

It's Football Weather

The unique opportunity provided by the weather provides a “home-field advantage” that Penn State could benefit from. The ground-and-pound Nittany Lions average 202 yards rushing, and with the cold most likely being a factor, if the Penn State offense can control the line of scrimmage, they should be in good shape. Penn State has relied on the tandem of running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen all year. Both are averaging over 5 yards a carry.

However, they are facing a Mustangs team that holds their opposition to 93 rushing yards. SMU defensive lineman Jahfari Harvey has 12 tackles for loss on the season and is someone the Mustangs will rely on.

Brashard Smith, SMU's Mustang

While the Mustangs may be looked at as an underdog nationally they shouldn't be overlooked. The strength for SMU is their ground attack as well, they average 176 yards rushing, and running back Brashard Smith is averaging 6 yards per carry.

The Penn State defense had been holding their opposition to under 100 yards rushing all year, but two weeks ago in the Big Ten Championship game, Oregon ran all over them to the tune of 183 rushing yards. So for Penn State to stop SMU they’ll need to expect Smith to carry the load, but he might not be alone.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings, who Penn State’s head coach James Franklin compared to the Baltimore Ravens' own Lamar Jackson, could be a factor on the ground. Jennings is averaging 4 yards per carry on the season. By the time the game is over Jennings should become very familiar with Nittany Lions’ edge rusher Abdul Carter who is arguably the best defensive player on the Nittany Lions’ defense and among the best in the country.