Penn State vs. SMU: Time, TV channel, preview for the College ...

The Saturday slate of College Football Playoff games starts at noon in Happy Valley, where Penn State will play SMU. A battle of conference championship game runner-ups in the playoff for the first time, the winner of this game will play Boise State in the quarterfinal.

Despite a conference championship loss to No. 1 Oregon, Penn State receives arguably the most favorable position in the 12-team field. Andy Kotelnicki's offense has been on fire of late, averaging 39.8 points per game over the last five contests, including 37 points scored against Oregon in the Big Ten title game. Tight end Tyler Warren is as dynamic a player as you will see in college football, and quarterback Drew Allar continues to impress as a likely first-round draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Despite losing due to a last-second field goal, SMU nearly overcame a 17-point halftime deficit against Clemson in the ACC championship game, The Mustangs, in their first year in the conference, went 8-0 against the ACC in the regular season. Quarterback Kevin Jennings alongside running back Brashard Smith combine to make arguably the most electric backfield in college football.