O domínio defensivo da Penn State levou a uma vitória de 38-10 sobre a SMU no College Football Playoff. Penn State's defensive dominance led to a 38-10 victory over SMU in the College Football Playoff.

Penn State derrotou a SMU 38-10 no College Football Playoff, graças às interceptações de chaves retornadas para touchdowns por Dominic DeLuca e Tony Rojas. Penn State defeated SMU 38-10 in the College Football Playoff, thanks to key interceptions returned for touchdowns by Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas. A defesa do Nittany Lions dominou, forçando turnovers e demitindo o quarterback da SMU várias vezes. The Nittany Lions' defense dominated, forcing turnovers and sacking the SMU quarterback multiple times. Esta vitória impulsiona Penn State para enfrentar Boise State no Fiesta Bowl na véspera de Ano Novo, marcando seu melhor começo desde a década de 1990 sob o treinador James Franklin. This win propels Penn State to face Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Eve, marking their best start since the 1990s under Coach James Franklin.