The 12-team College Football Playoff has narrowed down to the semifinals stage, and two historic programs will face off in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida, will host No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame on January 9.
Penn State (38-10 in the first round) is riding a wave of momentum after dominating SMU and Boise State in its playoff games. The Nittany Lions’ defense has been particularly impressive, with six interceptions in two games. Quarterback Drew Allar has made big plays when needed, while running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have been nearly unstoppable. However, the team’s top-ranked edge rusher Abdul Carter is uncertain for the game due to an injury.
Notre Dame (27-17 in its first-round opener) also comes into the game on a high note after beating Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal. The Fighting Irish rely heavily on their stout running game, led by quarterback Riley Leonard and running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Their defense has been one of the best in the country, despite some injuries to key secondary players.
The matchup between these two historic programs will be a battle for national glory. With no Black head coach having won an FBS national championship, one of these coaches could make history. The winner will have a chance to recapture the glory of their respective programs and bring home their first national title in at least three decades.
The Orange Bowl is expected to be a defensive battle, with both teams’ defenses being among the best in the country. However, Penn State’s offense has shown promise, while Notre Dame’s running game could prove too much for its opponents to handle. The line stands at Notre Dame -1.5, making it a close and competitive matchup for fans to watch.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6033036/2025/01/02/college-football-playoff-semifinals-ohio-state-texas-notre-dame-penn-state