Penn State has its opponent for the College Football Playoff semifinal. The No. 6 Nittany Lions will face No. 5 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9, following the Fighting Irish’s 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with ESPN providing live coverage.
Penn State (12-1) earned its semifinal berth with a commanding 31-14 victory over No. 3 Boise State, securing its second postseason win and inching closer to a national title. Head coach James Franklin’s team will now prepare for a familiar foe in Notre Dame, a team the Lions have faced 19 times historically. The series is tied at 9-9-1, with Penn State winning the most recent meeting in 2007.
Notre Dame (12-1) enters the matchup with momentum after stifling Georgia’s offense in the Sugar Bowl. The Fighting Irish defense forced critical turnovers and held the Bulldogs to just 10 points, paving their way to the semifinal clash.
Early Odds and Key Details
Initial betting lines list Notre Dame as a slight 1.5-point favorite, with an over/under ranging from 45.5 to 50 points, depending on the sportsbook. Both teams are considered defensive powerhouses, suggesting a tightly contested battle under the bright lights in Miami.
Dave Pasch, Roddy Jones, Kris Budden, and Taylor McGregor will provide commentary for ESPN’s broadcast. Additional details, including officiating assignments and team logistics, will be released in the coming days.
The winner will advance to the national championship game, scheduled for Jan. 15 in Houston.
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