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The College Football Playoff Semifinals brings us an electrifying matchup as #6 Penn State (13-2) faces #7 Notre Dame (13-1) in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Taking place on January 9th at 7:30 PM ET, this clash of two powerhouse programs will be broadcast live on ESPN from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Nittany Lions have found their stride late in the season following tough losses to Ohio State and Oregon. Their playoff run began with a decisive 38-10 win over #11 SMU at home. They followed that with a commanding 31-14 victory against #3 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Penn State’s balanced attack, spearheaded by quarterback Drew Allar, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, and standout tight end Tyler Warren, has proven tough to contain.
Against Boise State, Allen and Singleton combined for 221 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Warren added 2 receiving touchdowns. Defensively, the Nittany Lions were relentless, forcing 3 interceptions and sacking Boise QB Maddux Madsen 4 times. Their ability to shut down Boise’s Heisman runner-up, RB Ashton Jeanty, demonstrated the elite quality of their rush defense.
However, questions remain. Can Penn State’s defense continue its dominance against Notre Dame’s three-headed rushing attack? And will Drew Allar rise to the occasion in the biggest game of his career?
Notre Dame enters the semifinals riding high after a gritty 23-10 victory over #2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Despite a slow start offensively, the Fighting Irish capitalized on the 45 seconds of gameplay between the end of the first half and the start of the second half, scoring 17 points. In that span, Notre Dame nailed a 48-yard field goal, strip-sacked QB Gunnar Stockton, threw a touchdown pass and then returned the opening kick of the second half to the house.
QB Riley Leonard’s mobility was crucial in the game, as he added 80 rushing yards to his modest passing total of 90. Their defensive effort was equally impressive, limiting Georgia to 62 rushing yards and sacking Stockton 4 times.
Notre Dame’s success this season has been built on consistency and resilience. Their lone loss came in a shocking Week 2 upset against Northern Illinois. However, they also defeated a trio of quality opponents, including Louisville, USC and Texas A&M. With a deep backfield of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price and a secondary that ranks among the best in the nation, the Irish make it tough to establish time of possession and grab a lead.
Still, Notre Dame’s passing game remains a potential liability. Can Riley Leonard and his receivers find success against Penn State’s secondary? Can Notre Dame rely on their run-first identity against the nation’s second-best rush defense?
This semifinal matchup is as even as it gets. Both teams feature strong backfields, mobile quarterbacks and defenses capable of dominating the line of scrimmage. Key differences could come down to quarterback play, as Drew Allar’s arm strength gives Penn State a clear edge in passing situations. Conversely, Riley Leonard’s ability to escape pressure and create opportunities with his legs may give Notre Dame a dynamic element that’s hard to prepare for.
Notre Dame’s physicality will present a significant challenge for Penn State, whose toughest tests this season – against Ohio State and Oregon – resulted in losses. However, the Nittany Lions’ playmakers, particularly the physicality of Tyler Warren and the speed of Singleton, give them a versatile edge. Expect a close, hard-fought game where turnovers and red-zone execution could be the deciding factors.
Warren has been a red-zone threat all season, with 4 rushing touchdowns and 8 receiving scores. Against a Notre Dame defense that excels at shutting down the perimeter, Warren’s ability to find space over the middle could prove pivotal. Look for Drew Allar to rely on Warren, especially near the goal line.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.