Opening betting line for Penn State’s College Football Playoff matchup with SMU revealed

Penn State is officially locked in for the first College Football Playoff in school history, and the Nittany Lions will be able to play its first game at home in Beaver Stadium. Penn State is matched up against SMU in a battle of runners up in the Big Ten and ACC championship game, and Penn State will open as a favorite in the first-round matchup.

The opening lines for the first-round matchups from BetMGM dropped soon after the bracket was filled, and Penn State has the second-biggest point spread in its favor in the first round. BetMGM lists Penn State as an 8.5-point favorite against the Mustangs, who are also making their playoff debut.

Here is an early look at the odds for the first-round game in Beaver Stadium.

Penn State vs. SMU predictions

We will have plenty of time to diogest this matchup in more detail, but it is hard not to like Penn State’s chances in the first round. Penn State is playing at home and put on an encouraging offense show in the Big Ten championship game against the best team in college football. With temperatures trending down for late December, hosting SMU feels like a pure home field advantage in front of what should be a packed whiteout crowd in Beaver Stadium.

I’ll stay away from a final score prediction now, but Penn State should manage to come out on top and advance to the Fiesta Bowl to face Mountain West Conference champion Boise State on New Years Eve.

Penn State vs. SMU odds

• Point spread: Penn State -8.5
• Penn State money line: -310
• SMU money line: +245
• Over/under: 53.5

When does Penn State play SMU in CFP?

Penn State will host SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21. Kickoff has been set for a noon Eastern start time.

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.