No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame: A Classic Rivalry Renewed in the Orange Bowl

The College Football Playoff semifinals promise an intense showdown with the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions taking on the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl. This historic matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 9th, from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

This game marks a renewal of a storied rivalry. Notre Dame and Penn State have faced off 19 times, with the series currently tied 9-9-1. Their most recent meeting occurred in 2007, with Penn State emerging victorious 31-10. From 1981 to 1992, these two powerhouses clashed annually, creating a memorable chapter in college football history.

Arguably the most iconic game in this rivalry was the 1992 "Snow Bowl." No. 22 Penn State held a 16-9 lead over No. 8 Notre Dame with under 30 seconds remaining in blizzard-like conditions in South Bend. However, Irish quarterback Rick Mirer found future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis for a touchdown. Legendary Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz then made the gutsy decision to go for two, and the Irish successfully converted, securing a thrilling 17-16 victory.

The winner of the Orange Bowl will not only advance to the National Championship Game but will also claim a crucial advantage in this historic rivalry, breaking the long-standing tie.

On-Field Matchup:

This promises to be a defensive battle between two of the nation's elite units. Penn State boasts a stingy defense allowing just 15.8 points per game, while Notre Dame is even more formidable, surrendering only 13.8 points per contest.

The Nittany Lions enter the playoffs after a narrow loss to Oregon in the conference title game, while the Fighting Irish secured their spot with a dominant 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Both teams have showcased impressive offensive firepower, averaging over 200 rushing yards per game. Penn State relies on a potent one-two punch in the backfield with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, both surpassing the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season. Notre Dame's ground game is spearheaded by workhorse running back Jeremiyah Love, complemented by the dual-threat abilities of quarterback Riley Leonard.

On the defensive side, Abdul Carter, a potential first-round NFL Draft pick, anchors Penn State's defense with his explosive pass-rushing prowess. However, his status remains uncertain after suffering an apparent arm injury in their previous game. Notre Dame's defense is anchored by All-American safety Xavier Watts, a playmaking force with six interceptions and a forced fumble this season.

Key Matchups:

• Penn State's Offensive Line vs. Notre Dame's Defensive Front: The Nittany Lions' success will depend on their ability to establish a strong running game. Their offensive line will face a stiff test against Notre Dame's powerful defensive front.

  
  

• Drew Allar vs. Notre Dame's Secondary: Allar, Penn State's talented quarterback, will need to make smart decisions and avoid costly turnovers against Watts and the rest of the Irish secondary.

  
  

• Riley Leonard's Dual-Threat Ability vs. Penn State's Defense: Leonard's ability to run and pass effectively will be crucial for Notre Dame's success. Penn State's defense will need to contain his dual-threat capabilities.

  
  

This Orange Bowl promises to be a hard-fought battle with significant implications for the College Football Playoff and the storied rivalry between these two iconic programs.

CFP championship history

Season	Champion
2023	Michigan
2022	Georgia
2021	Georgia
2020	Alabama
2019	LSU
2018	Clemson
2017	Alabama
2016	Clemson
2015	Alabama
2014	Ohio State