Upstart Boise State, RB Jeanty take on Penn State to kick-off CFP QFs … It will be Boise State and record-setting RB Ashton Jeanty against traditional power Penn State on New Year’s Eve in the first ever D1/FBS quarter-final playoff game in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale (7:30 PM ET; ESPN). Of course, if its Boise State it means another chance to watch dynamic Broncos’ RB Ashton Jeanty (#2, 5-9, 215), arguably the best player in the country not named Travis Hunrer, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner; indeed, Jeanty finished second in the balloting for the award. In fact, Jeanty is just 131 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders long standing D1/FBS single-season rushing record. How dominant has Jeanty been; he has more yards after contact than every other back in the country has period. For good measure, BSU also has a rising ER in Ahmed Hassanein (#91, 6-3, 270) who among the national leaders with 8.5 sacks.
The big question re the game though is can the Mountain West Broncos hang with a Big 10 power like Penn State, although Boise State did play Oregon almost even back in September when they lost by just 3 points in Eugene. Penn State certainly will not be an easy out especially if Lions’ QB QB Drew Allar (#15, 6-5, 245) plays to his potential. Allar, a prototype pocket passer who has one of the strongest arm in the country, has already announced he’ll be back at school next fall and figures to be a top prospect in 2026. The Lions offence also features arguably the top TE in the country in Tyler Warren (#44, 6-5, 265), while they also feature a solid RB combo of their own in Nick Singleton (#10, 6-0, 230) and Kaytron Allen (#13, 5-11, 220). Penn State’s top prospect overall, though, is DE Abdul Carter (#11, 6-3, 255) who has emerged as a top 5 prospect for the upcoming draft. Carter combines with DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (#33, 6-5, 270) to give the Lions a dynamic pass rush. Meanwhile, other Lions to watch include WR Julian Fleming (#3, 6-2, 210), S Jaylen Reed (#1, 6-0, 215), LB Kobe King (#41, 6-1, 2590) and DT Zane Durant (#28, 6-1, 290).