Who will Penn State play in CFP semifinals after Fiesta Bowl win? Nittany Lions' next game
The first spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals has been claimed.
No. 6 Penn State beat No. 3 Boise State 31-14 in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Tuesday, marking the first quarterfinal victory of the 2024-25 College Football Playoff. With the win, the Nittany Lions will advance to their first ever CFP semifinal game, in the Orange Bowl.
The win on Tuesday not only improved Penn State's record at the Fiesta Bowl to 8-0, but also extended the Nittany Lions' new record for most wins in a single season, at 13.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar finished 13 of 25 passing for 171 yards and three touchdowns against Boise State. Tight end Tyler Warren also looked the part of first-round NFL draft prospect, as he finished with 63 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.
The Nittany Lions also stopped Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty for much of the night, as the Heisman runner-up was held to 104 yards on 30 carries. Jeanty also was held from making history, as he came up 28 yards short of surpassing Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record.
Here's what to know about who Penn State will play in the CFP semifinals, and a look at the full CFP schedule:
Who will Penn State play in CFP semifinals?
Penn State will advance to play in the CFP Orange Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 9.
There, the Nittany Lions will play the winner of Wednesday's Sugar Bowl quarterfinal between No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame.
If the Bulldogs beat the Irish on Wednesday, it will be the first time that Penn State will play against Georgia since the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl. Penn State is 1-1 all-time against Georgia, with the Bulldogs winning the most recent matchup 24-17 in Jacksonville, Florida.
If the Irish beat the Bulldogs on Wednesday, it will be the first time that Penn State will play against Notre Dame since 2007. The all-time series between Penn State and Notre Dame is tied 9-9-1.
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College Football Playoff schedule
All times Eastern
CFP first round
Friday, Dec. 20
- No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17
Saturday, Dec. 21
- No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10
- No. 12 Clemson 38, No. 5 Texas 24
- No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17
CFP quarterfinals
Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14
Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 Texas | 1 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State | 5 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
- Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame | 8:45 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
CFP semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 9
- Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. Sugar Bowl winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
Friday, Jan. 10
- Cotton Bowl: Rose Bowl winner vs. Peach Bowl winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
CFP championship game
Monday, Jan. 20
- CFP championship game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
Updated CFP 12-team bracket
With its loss Tuesday, Bosie State became the latest team to be knocked out of the first ever 12-team CFP bracket. Here's a look at what the CFP bracket looks like after Penn State's win:
- Oregon (13-0)
- Georgia (11-2)
Boise State (12-2)- Arizona State (11-2)
- Texas (12-2)
- Penn State (13-2)
- Notre Dame (12-1)
- Ohio State (11-2)
Tennessee (10-3)Indiana (11-2)SMU (11-3)Clemson (10-4)
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