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What channel is Penn State vs SMU Saturday? Time, TV schedule to watch CFP first-round game

John Leuzzi   Paste BN NETWORK
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Penn State football finds itself with its biggest game of the James Franklin era yet on Saturday: a College Football Playoff matchup.

And it's taking place at home.

Earning the No. 6 seed in its first-ever CFP appearance, Penn State (11-2, 8-1 in Big Ten play) will host No. 11 seed SMU (11-2, 8-0 ACC) inside Beaver Stadium at noon ET for a first-round matchup in the CFP.

Watch Penn State vs. SMU live with Sling TV

The Nittany Lions, who lost to No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten championship game two weeks ago, will host their first-ever postseason White Out on Saturday — a bonus to receiving a first-round home game. Another bonus for Franklin's squad against the Mustangs could be the weather. With snow having fallen throughout the week in Happy Valley, temperatures are expected to be near the 30s come kickoff.

The quarterback matchup between Drew Allar and the Mustangs' Kevin Jennings should be a fun one to watch as well, as both quarterbacks not only have led their respective programs to historic seasons, but also have also thrown for nearly a combined 6,000 yards and 43 touchdowns.

Here's how to watch Penn State vs. SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Penn State vs SMU on Saturday?

  • TV channel: TNT
  • Livestream: Max | Sling TV

Penn State vs. SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff will be broadcast nationally on TNT. Mark Jones and Roddy Jones will have the call from the booth at Beaver Stadium, with Quint Kessenich reporting from the sidelines.

Streaming options for Saturday's CFP game include Max and Sling TV, which carries TNT and the Turner family of networks.

Penn State vs SMU time Saturday

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 21
  • Start time: Noon ET

Penn State and SMU will kick off at noon ET from Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 21 in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Penn State vs SMU predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Dec. 17

  • Odds: Penn State (-8.5)
  • Over/under: 54.5
  • Moneyline: Penn State (-350) | SMU (+260)

Penn State football schedule 2024

Here's a look at Penn State's schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:

  • Saturday, Aug. 31: at West Virginia (W, 34-12)
  • Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Bowling Green (W, 34-27)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Kent State (W, 56-0)
  • Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. No. 21 Illinois * (W, 21-7)
  • Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. UCLA * (W, 27-11)
  • Saturday, Oct. 12: at USC (W, 33-30 OT)
  • Saturday, Oct. 19: BYE
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: at Wisconsin * (W, 28-13)
  • Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. No. 4 Ohio State * (L, 20-13)
  • Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Washington * (W, 35-6)
  • Saturday, Nov. 16: at Purdue * (W, 49-10)
  • Saturday, Nov. 23: at Minnesota * (W, 26-25)
  • Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Maryland * (W, 44-7)
  • Saturday, Dec. 7 (Big Ten championship game): vs. No. 1 Oregon: L, 45-37
  • Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 12 SMU (CFP first round)
  • Record: 11-2 overall, 8-1 in Big Ten play

* Denotes Big Ten game

SMU football schedule 2024

Here's a look at SMU's schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:

  • Saturday, Aug. 24: at Nevada (W, 29-24)
  • Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Houston Christian (W, 59-7)
  • Friday, Sept. 6: vs. BYU (L, 18-15)
  • Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
  • Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. TCU (W, 66-42)
  • Saturday, Oct. 5: at No. 22 Louisville * (W, 34-27)
  • Saturday, Oct. 12: BYE
  • Saturday, Oct. 19: at Stanford * (W, 40-10)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26: at Duke * (W, 28-27 OT)
  • Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. No. 18 Pitt * (W, 48-25)
  • Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE
  • Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Boston College * (W, 38-28)
  • Saturday, Nov. 23: at Virginia * (W, 38-6)
  • Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Cal * (W, 38-6)
  • Saturday, Dec. 7 (ACC championship game): vs. No. 17 Clemson (L, 34-31)
  • Saturday, Dec. 21: at No. 5 Penn State (CFP first round)
  • Record: 11-2 overall, 8-0 in ACC play

* Denotes ACC game

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