The College Football Playoff is set to kick off with a thrilling matchup between sixth-seeded Penn State and seventh-seeded Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, January 9th. The Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish aim to secure their place in the national title game, while the winner will face either Texas or Ohio State.
Penn State head coach James Franklin acknowledged that his team needs to start preparing for a tough opponent, citing Marcus Freeman’s confident statement after the Sugar Bowl. Notre Dame has been impressive, winning two College Football Playoff contests already and boasting an stifling defense that has allowed 17 points or less in nine games since their Week 2 setback.
Quarterback Riley Leonard leads the Irish offense, completing 66.8% of his passes for 2,293 yards. Running back Jeremiyah Love is banged up, but backup Jadarian Price will be crucial in his absence. Meanwhile, Penn State’s defense, led by All-American safety Xavier Watts and linebacker Jack Kiser, has been solid.
The matchup between two teams with penalty issues could lead to a defensive battle. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with Dave Pasch, Roddy Jones, Kris Budden, and Taylor McGregor on the call.
Here are the key storylines heading into the game:
* Will Abdul Carter play for Penn State, despite leaving early in their previous game due to injury?
* Can Notre Dame’s defense contain Penn State’s offense?
* Which team will come up with enough answers if both defenses steal the show?
Weather conditions at the Orange Bowl look favorable, with a high of 67 degrees and dry conditions expected. The matchup promises to be an exciting one, setting the stage for a thrilling College Football Playoff semifinal game.
Source: https://www.on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/its-penn-state-notre-dame-in-the-cfp-week-game-time-spread-channel-streaming-info-storylines-more