Old school is a fitting phrase to describe this CFB Playoff matchup between two proud football programs going at it with a spot in the national championship on the line.
Both teams have solid if unspectacular quarterback play, strong running games and tough physical defense. This game will likely come down to which team can be impose their will on their opponent.
The defense also made life miserable for Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings. Granted they were only able to sack him three times because he is in fact very difficult to catch. They did however intercept him three times on the afternoon. This one was game set and match at the half.
CFB Playoff Semifinals: Penn State vs. Notre Dame – Orange Bowl – January 9, 2025
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State has arguably had the easier path to the semifinals than the Irish. In their first CFB Playoff game they easily ended the season for SMU. A high flying offense with suspect defense in one of the weaker Power Four Conferences was simply a bad matchup for the visitors who invaded Happy Valley.
While quarterback Drew Allar was pedestrian in this matchup, he didn’t need to do much and he didn’t turn the ball over. The running backs took care of things for the offense and the Lions stormed out to a 28-0 halftime lead.
In their CFB Playoff Quarterfinal game of the playoff, the Nittany Lions faced off against a Boise State team that had only one loss on the season which was on the road against undefeated and number one ranked Oregon. The Broncos also had early season Heisman front runner in running back Ashton Jeanty. He did nothing to lose the Heisman. Travis Hunter from Colorado simply overtook him with his unusual two way play.
Penn State used the same formula in this one that they used against SMU. Jump ahead early and let the defense handle the rest. The Lions clearly focused their efforts on stopping Jeanty and he was not the factor he was in every other game this season. Penn State won it going away 31-14.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
If someone had said that the final score of the game against Indiana in the first round would be the closest of all the first round games in the CFB Playoff, they might not have watched the game. Although the final was 27-17 Notre Dame, that was only because Indiana scored two late touchdowns when the score was 27-3.
The Irish simply imposed their will on the upstart Hoosiers. The running game proved too physical for Indiana to compete. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was highly efficient and was never under duress throughout.
On the other hand, the Irish defense made Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke uncomfortable for most of the game. Rourke wasn’t terrible but he wasn’t what he had been throughout the season not withstanding the Ohio State game which was their only loss coming into the Notre Dame game.
Rourke was only sacked three times and threw just one pick but the Notre Dame secondary covered well and his receivers couldn’t consistently get any separation. The CFB Playoff Quarterfinal matchup against Georgia had the makings of a classic and while it wasn’t that it was a very interesting game to watch.
Georgia was playing without starting quarterback Carson Beck who was injured in the SEC championship game against Texas and ruled out for the season. The Bulldogs had scoring chances early but were unable to capitalize. The Irish drove down the field late in the first half and kicked a field goal to take a 6-3 lead. Then inexplicable head coach Kirby Smart decided to throw instead of taking a knee into the half. Quarterback Gunner Stockton was strip sacked and the Irish recovered. On the next play Leonard threw a touchdown pass and all of a sudden the score was 13-3.
The opening kickoff of the second half proved to be a dagger. Notre Dame returned the kickoff for a touchdown and in the blink of an eye it was 20-3. While Georgia did rebound to make it 20-10 with plenty of time remaining, the Irish defense was able to shut the Dawgs out the rest of the way with some stops in the red zone. The Notre Dame running game was able to kill the clock with some physical and inspiring play late. When it was over Notre Dame was on to the CFB Playoff Semifinals with a 23-10 win.
The Matchup
If you’re looking for an offensive showcase this might not be the CFB Playoff game to watch. Similar to the Notre Dame vs. Georgia game, the winner here will be the team that is able to impose their will.
Penn State has the more explosive backfield and an advantage at tight end with all everything Tyler Warren. Notre Dame has an overall advantage in the running game because Leonard is like having an extra running back. He’s also a physical runner who can dish out punishment of his own.
We’re going to go with Notre Dame in a close one. Having to face a physical Georgia team in the last game has the Irish better prepared for a physical encounter. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has his team on a roll after a shocking early season loss to Northern Illinois. Penn State head coach James Franklin still faces questions about whether he can win the big one. Maybe he can just not this big one.
Prediction
Notre Dame 20 Penn State 16
Regardless of who wins both CFB Playoff Semifinal games we’re going to have a very interesting game in the championship. But wouldn’t Ohio State vs. Notre Dame be special?
Main Image: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
