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Who are the refs for the Penn State vs. SMU game?

Here's the full officiating crew for the first-round College Football Playoff matchup between Penn State and SMU. 

By Megan Melle

Sep 23, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; NCAA referee David Smith signals a first down during the game between the UAB Blazers and Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sep 23, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; NCAA referee David Smith signals a first down during the game between the UAB Blazers and Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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It’s win or go home in Happy Valley this weekend, and despite frigid temperatures, potential flurries and a wind chill of 14 degrees, we can expect an offensive showdown between the No. 11 SMU Mustangs and the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions. It’s a first-of-its-kind weekend as the expanded College Football Playoff offers home-field advantage at Beaver Stadium on Saturday—and that chilly environment matters. No doubt, SMU boasts talent on offense, but it’s Penn State’s own offensive prowess that should be able to wear down the Mustang defense.

The winner advances to the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31, where they'll take on No. 3 Boise State in the CFP quarterfinals.

In an ideal world, officiating has zero effect on which team will make their way to Phoenix. But this season is proof that things don’t always pan out for fans wishing the refs stick to officiating a game rather than deciding a game. Luckily, there are some pros on the field on Saturday, so let's take a look at the entire crew.   

Full officiating crew for Penn State-SMU College Football Playoff matchup

Officials from the four Power conferences will be assigned CFP games, with eight crews assigned to the first round and quarterfinals. From there, according to national coordinator of officiating Steve Shaw, advancement to the semifinal games and the national championship game will be based on crew performance and conflict avoidance during the first eight matchups. Here's your official officiating crew for SMU at Penn State.

Name

Officiating role

David Smith 

Head referee

Walt Hill

Umpire

Christopher Hess

Head line judge

Michael Taylor

Line judge

Antonio Smith

Field judge

Victor Sanchez

Side judge

Tom Fimmen

Back judge

Ron Turner

Center judge

Lee Hedrick

Alternate

Mitchell Wilkens

Replay official

Crathman Stevens

Replay communicator

Likely welcome news for Penn State fans, Big Ten officials will not be assigned to their game against SMU—the Nittany Lions were not short on gripes against officials throughout the year, including missed calls during the conference title game at points James Franklin called "critical."

The crew calling Saturday's first-round game is entirely from the SEC, and according to Football Zebra, includes four previous bowl game officials, two previous New Year’s six or national championship game officials, as well as two Mackie Development Program officials, the NFL’s development and training pipeline.

Now SEC officiating has come under the microscope of fans this season, including most often (it seems) when Georgia is involved. So the coast isn't clear from officiating controversy, but here's to hoping the CFP turns a new page in that book.

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