Drew Allar

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Laramie, Wyo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

College Football Playoff picks: Broncos and Sun Devils embrace their underdog roles in quarterfinals

The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are here and six of the eight teams are no strangers to the big stage. Boise State and Arizona State are out to show they belong.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar warms up for the game against SMU in the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Penn State’s polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki watches warmup before an NCAA college football game between Penn State and Ohio State, on Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

Penn State offensive coordinator Kotelnicki’s creativity has the Nittany Lions humming in the CFP

Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) celebrates after sacking SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings during the second half in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Penn State preparing for hard-charging Jeanty and Boise State in CFP quarterfinals

Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) celebrates after a touchdown with Nicholas Singleton, second from left, during the second half against SMU in the first round of the College Football Playoff, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Boise State’s Jeanty is the best back in the nation. Penn State’s duo could be right behind him

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Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison, left, runs after a catch as Western Kentucky linebacker Desmyn Baker defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

No. 6 Buckeyes’ visit to No. 9 Notre Dame is Big Ten’s top game; No. 24 Iowa is at No. 7 Penn State

Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (10) reacts after a quarterback sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

No. 1 Georgia rallies from 11-down to beat South Carolina 24-14

Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter (11) celebrates his interception with Chop Robinson during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

No. 7 Penn State defense gets five takeaways and pulls away from Illinois in 30-13 victory

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Delaware, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

No. 7 Penn State looks to avoid slip-up against Illinois while Illini try to make a bold statement

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) passes against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

No. 11 Texas upends No. 3 Alabama 34-24 for biggest win under Sarkisian

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (10) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman JB Nelson (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Delaware, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Singleton, Allen help No. 7 Penn State defeat Delaware 63-7

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar looks to pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

No. 7 Penn State is looking to tighten up against FCS Delaware

West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene (6) passes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

West Virginia gets potential breather against Duquesne after Penn State blowout loss

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) passes while pressured by West Virginia linebacker Lance Dixon (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Drew Allar shines in No. 7 Penn State’s opening 38-15 victory over West Virginia

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes, left, and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders shake hands after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Colorado beats No. 17 TCU 45-42 in back-and-forth shootout, coach Deion Sanders’ debut

FILE - Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) scrambles during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in State College, Pa. The former five-star quarterback recruit has not even officially won Penn State’s starting job yet, but glimpses of his game suggest he could be the star the Nittany Lions need to bust the recent Michigan/Ohio State monopoly in the Big Ten.(AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

West Virginia and No. 7 Penn State open season with a primetime matchup

FILE - Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, front right, throws downfield during an NCAA college football practice in State College, Pa., Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. Allar might be the most important player in college football this season.(Joe Hermitt/The Patriot-News via AP, File)

No. 7 Penn State ready to go against West Virginia with QB Drew Allar, decorated supporting cast

FILE - Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to pass against Ohio during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in State College, Pa. Penn State opens their season at home against West Virginia on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

No. 7 Penn State’s meeting with West Virginia highlights the Big Ten’s Week 1 schedule

FILE - Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) looks to pass against Ohio during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in State College, Pa. Penn State opens their season at home against West Virginia on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

Why Penn State QB Drew Allar might be college football’s most important player

FILE - Alabama head coach Nick Saban speaks during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. For most schools, a preseason No. 4 ranking would feel pretty good. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Reality Check: The truth hurts and truth is a bunch of ranked teams will break hearts in 2023

FILE - Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) celebrates with his teammates Jack Sawyer (33), Zach Harrison (9) and Lathan Ransom (12) after returning an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, on Oct. 29, 2022, in State College, Pa. Ohio State is No. 3 in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll released Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

Scouting the teams in the preseason AP Top 25, from Georgia to Texas to Iowa

FILE - Penn State coach James Franklin gives instructions during the NCAA college football team's spring practice Tuesday April 4, 2023, in State College, Pa. Penn State opens their season at home against West Virginia on Sept. 2. (Joe Hermitt/The Patriot-News via AP, File)

With fewer questions than usual, No. 7 Penn State enters Franklin’s 10th season confident as ever