Penn State Faces Notre Dame in Orange Bowl CFP Semifinal

The College Football Playoff semifinals kick off with a highly anticipated matchup between Penn State and Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The game, set for 7:30 p.m. ET and broadcast on ESPN, marks the first semifinal of the expanded 12-team playoff format.

Penn State, seeded No. 6, enters the game after a dominant performance against SMU in the first round, while No. 7 Notre Dame advanced with a strong defensive showing against Indiana. Both teams are seeking their first national championship in decades, with Notre Dame last winning in 1988 and Penn State in 1986.

Notre Dame’s defense has been a cornerstone of their success this season, allowing just 13.6 points per game and leading the nation with 31 takeaways. Key players like linebacker Jack Kiser and defensive back Xavier Watts have been instrumental in their defensive dominance. Penn State, meanwhile, boasts a potent ground attack led by running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who will face a tough challenge against the Irish defense.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar will need to rely on creative play-calling and contributions from tight end Tyler Warren and the receiving corps to break through Notre Dame’s secondary. On the other side, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard will look to make smart decisions with short throws and keepers, supported by running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.

The game promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive battle, with both teams known for their physicality and disciplined play. However, Notre Dame’s shorter rest period after the Sugar Bowl could be a factor, as they had one less day to prepare compared to Penn State.

The winner of this semifinal will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between Georgia and Oregon.