Penn State news, notes, and updates for Dec. 18 include a ranking of the teams who are most likely to be upset in Round 1 of the CFP. That leads today’s newsstand, which also covers headlines of the day from around Nittany Nation as the march to Saturday continues.

Penn State tweets of the day

CBS national college football writer Shehan Jeyarajah ranked the teams that are first-round favorites and are most likely to suffer an upset at the hands of their lesser-ranked opponent. Penn State, which is an 8.5-point favorite over SMU for a game that starts at Noon ET on Dec. 21 at Beaver Stadium, leads the list.

“Mathematically, SMU was the last team in the CFP after losing the ACC Championship Game to Clemson,” Jeyarajah writes. “Penn State had a serious case for No. 1 in the country heading into the final quarter of the Big Ten Championship Game. However, the matchup between these two teams is far closer than many would think. 

“Simply put, SMU has far more offensive playmakers heading into the matchup, headlined by quarterback Kevin Jennings (3,050 yards passing, 379 yards rushing 27 TDs). Running back Brashard Smith is a threat both as a runner and pass-catcher as a converted receiver, while eight total players on the roster posted at least 275 yards receiving. Five players have at least four receiving touchdowns, and that doesn’t even count leading receiver Roderick Daniels. 

“Penn State has the best playmaker in the game in tight end Tyler Warren, but no other pass-catcher causes much fear. One toy in Andy Kotelnicki’s box, versatile backup QB Beau Pribula, is off to the transfer portal. The Nittany Lions needs the game to stay low-scoring and defense-first. If points start to accumulate, SMU can pull off a big upset.”

It’s unlikely. But, there’s certainly a path to victory that is possible for the ACC runner-up.

Headlines of the day

Penn State runner Nick Singleton was a tone-setter vs. Oregon; his recent numbers say he is back: Flounders, PennLive

Wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford recaps why he ended his recruitment early: ‘Their energy is always genuine at Penn State’: Snyder, BWI

Penn State’s Abdul Carter Believes He’s the Best Player in College Football: Wogenrich, SI

WeAreSC editor Erik McKinney breaks down new Penn State WR Kyron Hudson: Snyder, BWI

Tom Allen lauds SMU QB Kevin Jennings as ‘special talent,’ notes Penn State standouts: Hill, Daily Collegian

Is the weather a concern for SMU Saturday? Rhett Lashlee talks that, Penn State stars, and more: Pickel, BWI

Solution for college football’s transfer portal calendar problem: Move spring practice to summer: Staples, On3

Drew Allar is returning to Penn State in 2025; no other Nittany Lion is announcing his stay-or-go choice yet: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“We’ll do the best we can. We went indoor and cranked up the noise for half of practice. We do the best we can. We’ve not been in this environment. There’s nothing you can do to prepare for it.  You have to get there, adjust for it, and go compete. It’s a huge home field advantage, and they earned the right to be at home.”

–SMU coach Rhett Lashlee on how his team is trying to prepare for the environment it will encounter at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.