Nittany Lions Battle Fighting Irish in Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal Preview)

No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1, FBS Independents) vs. No. 6 Penn State (11-2, 8-0 Big Ten)

Date: Thursday, January 9

Time: 7:30 PM

Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)

Coverage

• TV: ESPN

• Radio: CommRadio & Notre Dame Radio Network (ND) & LionVision (PSU)

• Live Stats: ESPN GameCast

Storylines

Message to Fighting Irish: Join a Conference

Penn State head coach James Franklin expressed in a press conference stating that Notre Dame, as well as every FBS team, should be part of a conference. To further elaborate, he stated that everybody should “play the same number of conference games”. (Source: Sports Illustrated)

Carter Likely a Game-Time Decision

Junior defensive end Abdul Carter left last week’s game against Boise State with an arm injury. His status has been a concern since then, but he is anticipated to play as he’s posted a few messages on social media hinting at a possible return to action. (Source: ESPN)

No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 6 Penn State: Team Numbers

No. 7 Notre Dame	Offense	No. 6 Penn State
37.7	Points Per Game	33.7
189.1	Pass Yards Per Game	234.1
217.5	Rush Yards Per Game	202.2
38.96%	3rd Down %	46.99%
20 (1.43)	Turnovers (per game)	21 (1.50)

No. 7 Notre Dame	Defense	No. 6 Penn State
13.6	Points Allowed PG	15.8
167.4	Pass Yards Allowed PG	187.9
127.9	Rush Yards Allowed PG	100.9
29.90%	Opponent 3rd Down %	34.83%
57 (4.07)	Takeaways (per game)	36 (2.57)

Split Head-to-Head

Penn State is 9-9-1 against Notre Dame all-time, according to Winsipedia. Their last meeting was on September 8, 2007, when Penn State beat Notre Dame 31-10 at home. Penn State is 0-2 against Notre Dame at a neutral site all-time. Penn State has won the last one head-to-head meeting dating back to 2007. Notre Dame’s most recent win over Penn State was on September 9, 2006 in a 41-17 home victory.

Players To Watch on Offense

No. 7 Notre Dame

• QB Riley Leonard, Sr.

  • Passing: 232-for-349, 2,383 yds, 18 TD, 6 INT

  • Rushing: 149 car, 831 yds, 15 TD

• RB Jeremiyah Love, So.

  • Rushing: 148 car, 1,076 yds, 16 TD

• WR Beaux Collins, Gr.

  • Receiving: 37 rec, 458 yds, 3 TD

No. 6 Penn State

• QB Drew Allar, Jr.

  • Passing: 250-for-371, 3,192 yds, 24 TD, 7 INT

  • Rushing: 90 car, 285 yds, 6 TD

• RB Kaytron Allen, Jr.

  • Rushing: 201 car, 1,026 yds, 8 TD

• TE Tyler Warren, Sr.

  • Receiving: 98 rec, 1,158 yds, 8 TD

Players To Watch on Defense

No. 7 Notre Dame

• DL Donovan Hinish, Jr.

  • Defense: 34 tot, 4.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL

• LB Jack Kiser, Gr.

  • Defense: 75 tot, 2 sacks, 4 TFL

• S Xavier Watts, Gr.

  • Defense: 66 tot, 6 INT, 9 PD

No. 6 Penn State

• DE Abdul Carter, Jr.

  • Defense: 63 tot, 11 sacks, 21.5 TFL

• LB Kobe King, R-Jr.

  • Defense: 88 tot, 3 sacks, 8.5 TFL

• S Jaylen Reed, Sr.

  • Defense: 92 tot, 3 INT, 3 PD

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: The Nittany Lions have found more ways to win with every game they play. That fact and a stout run defense will propel them to a victory.

Pick: No. 6 Penn State