The 7th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the 6th ranked Penn State Nittany Lions clash in a defensive battle for a spot in the National Championship Game.
The No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1) will face the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2) in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff . Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, with a trip to the National Championship Game in Atlanta on the line. The Fighting Irish have rolled through the CFP, proving they're built for big moments.
After knocking off Indiana 27-17 in the opening round, Notre Dame humbled Georgia in a 23-10 quarterfinal win that showcased their ability to dominate on both sides of the ball. Against the Bulldogs, Notre Dame's defense was incredible, holding Georgia to just 62 rushing yards while their own ground game racked up 154 yards against one of the nation's best defenses. Wide Receiver and Kick Returner Jayden Harrison added some fireworks with a 98-yard kickoff return to open the second half, putting the game out of reach. Quarterback Riley Leonard has been solid for the Irish, managing the offense with poise and adding a rushing touchdown in the opening round. Notre Dame's defense, meanwhile, has been downright stingy, allowing just 125 rushing yards combined in their two playoff games. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions have been equally impressive, flexing their defensive muscle and balanced offense en route to the semifinals. Penn State opened the CFP with a 38-10 thrashing of SMU, fueled by two pick-sixes in the first half that set the tone. They followed it up with a 31-14 Fiesta Bowl win over Boise State, where Heisman finalist RB Ashton Jeanty was held out of the end zone, and Penn State doubled up the Broncos in rushing yards, 216-108. QB Drew Allar was efficient, tossing three touchdowns to guide the Nittany Lions to victory. Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Penn State 20 This game is shaping up to be a defensive slugfest, but Notre Dame's ability to control the line of scrimmage and make game-breaking plays gives them the edge. Riley Leonard's steady hand and the Fighting Irish's stout defense will be the difference in a tight battle. This will be a great night of football, tune in to the CFP tonight and catch the action on ESPN and streaming on fuboTV
College Football Playoff Notre Dame Penn State Semifinal National Championship
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