2024 Fiesta Bowl | Game Preview, Time & TV Channels
The 2024 season’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals will kick off on Tuesday, December 31st, with the Boise State Broncos taking on the Penn State Nittany Lions. After a sensational season from Ashton Jeanty that saw him come second in Heisman voting, the Broncos won their second Mountain West conference and earned a first-round bye. Their opponents, the Nittany Lions, have earned their way into the quarterfinals by hammering the SMU Mustangs by 38 points to 10, after just losing out to the Oregon Ducks in the Big 12 Championship Game. Can they make the Semifinals by defeating their Group of 5 opponents, or will the Broncos’ underdog story continue?
Staying informed on all things college football is as important as ever at this time of year, and all the information you need for the playoffs can be found on our NCAA College Football page. With the NFL postseason also closing in, make sure to also keep an eye on our NFL information page.
Key Information about the 2024 CFB Playoff Fiesta Bowl
- Matchup: No.3 Boise State Broncos vs No.6 Penn State Nittany Lions
- Stadium: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Date: Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
- Time: 7:30 pm ET
- Broadcast on: ESPN
What is the Fiesta Bowl Game
The Fiesta Bowl was established in 1971, thanks to the Western Athletic Conference setting it up in response to frustrations that their champions in 1968 and 1969 were not invited to feature in any bowl games. After first being hosted at Sun Devil Stadium between 1971 and 2006, the game has since moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the home of the Cardinals. Historically, this fixture has hosted teams from various conferences, but, this year, it has been elevated to quarterfinal status, showcasing the winners of the Mountain West Conference, Boise State, as they tackle Penn State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Boise State Broncos vs Penn State Nittany Lions Game Preview
This fascinating clash features two of the most exciting offensive weapons in the entire college game, surely in line for first round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. I am, of course, talking about Ashton Jeanty of the Broncos, and Tyler Warren of the Nittany Lions. Ashton Jeanty has racked up a truly insane 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns at 7.3 yards per carry, which was almost good enough to win him the Heisman Trophy Award this year, falling to Travis Hunter in the end.
With him grinding away, Boise State have produced the sixth most rushing yards per game, with 242.9, but they will meet their match next Tuesday, going up against a Penn State unit that ranks sixth in the nation, conceding just 100.5 yards per game on the ground. Stopping Jeanty is obviously the key for any team facing the Broncos, but quarterback Maddux Madsen has more than held his own when asked to pass. He has completed 62% of his passes to 2,714 yards, 22 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions, acting as a perfect second-fiddle to Jeanty.
When Penn State are on offense, all eyes will be on tight end Tyler Warren, who has 92 receptions for 1,095 yards and 6 touchdowns, in addition to 197 more yards and 4 scores as a rusher. He comfortably leads the Nittany Lions in receiving yards, followed by Harrison Wallace III, who has 686. Penn State also have some talent in the run game to call upon, with Nick Singleton averaging 6.4 yards per carry for his 928 yards and 8 touchdowns, and Kaytron Allen notching 892 yards and 8 touchdowns for himself.
With those 2 dominating on the ground and Warren thriving at tight end, Drew Allar has been able to post a career-high passer rating of 157.8, completing 68.5% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He will be eyeing up a big game here, against a Boise State defense that ranks 113th in the nation when it comes to stopping the pass, conceding 256.6 yards per game. They are considerably better against the run, ranking 14th in the nation, so look for Penn State to rely on their trusty quarterback and game-changing tight end in this one.
2024 CFB Fiesta Bowl Broadcasting Information
The Fiesta Bowl will be broadcast on ESPN at 7:30pm on Tuesday 31st December. If you are ever in any doubt about when and how to watch the college football playoffs, then make sure to check out our NCAA College Football page.
2024 Fiesta Bowl FAQs
- When is the Fiesta Bowl game? 7:30pm, Tuesday December, 31st, 2024
- Where is the Fiesta Bowl game? State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- Why is it called the Fiesta Bowl game? After the Western Athletic Conference champions were not invited to Bowl Games in 1968 or 1969, the conference set up the Fiesta Bowl for them to feature in. They chose to call it The Fiesta Bowl.
- What game is after the Fiesta Bowl? The winner of the 2024 season’s Fiesta Bowl will advance to the College Football Semifinals, where they will play in either the Orange Bowl or Cotton Bowl.
- Who is Playing in the Fiesta Bowl? No.3 Boise State Broncos vs No.6 Penn State Nittany Lions
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