Penn State and Notre Dame Clash in Orange Bowl Playoff Semifinal

DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Penn State and Notre Dame are set to face off in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium. The game, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and broadcast on ESPN, pits the No. 6 seed Penn State against the No. 7 seed Notre Dame in a matchup that highlights the strengths of both teams’ defenses.

Penn State, representing the Big Ten, reached the playoff after a strong season that included a trip to the Big Ten championship game, where they fell to No. 1 seed Michigan. Notre Dame, an FBS independent, earned an at-large bid despite playing one fewer game than most playoff contenders. The Fighting Irish pride themselves on their independence, a status that has been central to their identity for decades.

Penn State coach James Franklin emphasized the need for uniformity in college football, particularly with the expanded playoff format. “I think everybody should be in a conference,” Franklin said. “I think everybody should play a conference championship game, or nobody should play a conference championship game. I think everybody should play the same number of conference games.”

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman acknowledged the unique position of his team but expressed confidence in their preparation. “I love where we’re at right now,” Freeman said. “Our Notre Dame administration will continue to make decisions that are best for our program.”

The game is expected to be a defensive battle. Penn State’s defense has been formidable, allowing just 24 points through two playoff games. Notre Dame’s defense has also been strong, holding opponents to low scoring outputs in key games. The outcome may hinge on which team can establish dominance on the line of scrimmage and create explosive plays in the running game.

Both teams have struggled with consistency in their passing games, making the ground game a critical factor. Penn State’s defense has been particularly effective against the run, allowing just 3.1 yards per carry this season. Notre Dame, meanwhile, boasts one of the nation’s most explosive running attacks, ranking fourth nationally with 11 gains of 40 or more yards.

The winner of the Orange Bowl will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between Ohio State and Texas. The stakes are high, and both teams are prepared for a hard-fought battle on the field.