The No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2) host the No. 12 SMU Mustangs (11-2) at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Opening kick is at 12 p.m. ET, and Penn State is an 8 favorite.

The Mustangs are expected to lose (currently +8) against the Nittany Lions (with an over/under of 52.5 points).

Keep reading to check out our preview for this this game between the Nittany Lions and the Mustangs, and find all of our betting picks here, too!

Penn State vs. SMU betting lines

• Spread favorite: Nittany Lions (-8)
• Moneyline: Nittany Lions (-331), Mustangs (+260)
• Total: 52.5 points

Penn State vs. SMU betting info and stats

Penn State has six wins against the spread so far this season (6-7-0). Penn State has covered the spread four times when listed as the favorite by 8 or more points this season (4-4 ATS). Penn State has won 11 of its 11 games played as the moneyline favorite this season. SMU has won seven games against the spread this season (7-5-0). SMU has been listed as the underdog on the moneyline twice this season, and it won both of the games.

Penn State vs. SMU recent stats and trends

Penn State Nittany Lions

• Penn State is 2-1 against the spread in its last three games, and has a 2-1 straight-up record in those contests.
• The final combined score of the last three Penn State games has surpassed the set total each time.
• The past three Penn State games averaged 3.5 fewer points (49.0) than this matchup’s over/under.

SMU Mustangs

• SMU is 2-1 against the spread and 2-1 overall in its last three matchups.
• The final combined score of the last three SMU games surpassed the set total once.
• SMU’s past three outings have ended with an average of 54.3 points scored. That’s 1.8 more points than this contest’s over/under.

Penn State vs. SMU key players

Penn State Nittany Lions

• Drew Allar has 2,894 yards passing for Penn State, completing 69.1% of his passes and collecting 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He’s also contributed on the ground with 279 rushing yards (21.5 ypg) on 72 carries with six rushing touchdowns.
• Nicholas Singleton has carried the ball 131 times for a team-high 838 yards on the ground and has found the end zone seven times. He’s also tacked on 37 catches for 335 yards (25.8 per game) and five touchdowns via the pass.
• Kaytron Allen has been handed the ball 173 times this year and racked up 822 yards (63.2 per game) with six touchdowns.
• Tyler Warren’s leads his squad with 1,062 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 88 catches (out of 114 targets) and scored six touchdowns.
• Harrison Wallace III has put together a 638-yard season so far with four touchdowns, hauling in 39 passes on 65 targets.
• Omari Evans has been the target of 31 passes and compiled 19 catches for 360 yards, an average of 32.7 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone four times through the air this season.
• Abdul Carter has collected 10.0 sacks to lead the team, while also recording 14.0 TFL and 47 tackles.
• So far Jaylen Reed leads the team in both tackles and interceptions. He has collected 54 tackles, 1.0 TFL, two sacks, and three interceptions this season.

SMU Mustangs

• Kevin Jennings has been a dual threat for SMU this season. He has 3,050 passing yards (234.6 per game) while completing 66% of his passes. He’s tossed 22 touchdown passes and eight interceptions this season. On the ground, he’s compiled 379 yards (29.2 ypg) on 93 carries with five rushing touchdowns.
• The team’s top rusher, Brashard Smith, has carried the ball 216 times for 1,267 yards (97.5 per game) with 14 touchdowns. He’s also caught 35 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns.
• Roderick Daniels Jr. has racked up 599 receiving yards on 38 catches to pace his squad so far this season while scoring three touchdowns as a receiver.
• Keyshawn Smith has put up a 512-yard season so far with five touchdowns. He’s caught 31 passes on 52 targets.
• Jordan Hudson has racked up 382 reciving yards (29.4 ypg) and five touchdowns this season.
• Jahfari Harvey has 7.0 sacks to pace the team, and also has 7.0 TFL and 23 tackles.
• Kobe Wilson, SMU’s tackle leader, has 92 tackles, 6.0 TFL, three sacks, and two interceptions this year.
• Jonathan McGill has a team-high three interceptions to go along with 45 tackles, 1.0 TFL, and three passes defended.