Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Penn State Nittany Lions January 9 2025 – The college football playoff semifinal between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Orange Bowl is sure to be a riveting contest. The fighting irish come in with a stunning 10 game winning streak and a statement 23 – 10 win against Georgia. On the other hand, Penn State stands at a strong 13 – 2 with wins against Boise State and SMU among others. It’s easy to assume that since both teams are going for the national championship the match is going to be very heated at Hard Rock Stadium.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Penn State Nittany Lions January 9 2025 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Notre Dame | -135 | -2.5 (-110) | Over 44.5 (-105) |
| Penn State | +115 | +2.5 (-110) | Under 44.5 (+100) |
With Notre Dame as slight favorites, the spread and total suggest a closely contested game. Notre Dame’s stellar 10-0 record against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games bolsters their case, while Penn State’s strong offensive stats make the underdog moneyline a tempting play.
Riley Leonard QB vs. Drew Alla QB
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame’s quarterback has had decent numbers completing 66.5% of his passes for a total of 2,383 yards with 18 touchdowns to his name. Leonard is an athletic player with good decision-making skills contributing to Notre Dame’s high-powered offense. Even so, his six interceptions and his history with January games (in the past twelve January games, Notre Dame’s record is 2-10 SU) bring into question whether he is suitable for pressure offenders.
Drew Allar, Penn State’s quarterback, deserves the praise that he gets owing to his amazing stats that detail 3,192 passing yards and 24 touchdowns alongside a completion rate of 67.4%. When coupled with tight end Tyler Warren, his 8.6 yards per throw becomes a nightmare due to the depth it creates. Then again, his seven intercepted passes and his 18 sacks can prove to be a problem against the defensive line strength Notre Dame has.
Notre Dame’s Momentum from Recent Dominance
The core of their offense has been Jeremiyah Love who has rushed for 1076 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, along with this Beaux Collins stands second to none with his receptions when required (458 yards, 3 touchdowns) therefore making their aerial assault stronger. They have proved their capabilities to dominate with their strong defensive lineup by only conceding 10 points to Georgia. Therefore with their strong performances such as epic triumph over Army 49-14 and USC 49 and 35, they have cemented their place in the league as a strong contender. All in all, Notre Dames has stormed back stronger than ever.
Penn State’s Grit in Close Contests
Penn State has exhibited some elements of resilience after clinching a controversial 26-25 victory over Minnesota and then going on to beat Boise State 31-14 and SMU 38-10. A major tool has been the connection between Drew Allar and Tyler Warren who has 1,158 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, and 1,026 rushing yards from Kaytron Allen. The Nittany Lions lost to Oregon in the previously mentioned state which showcased their defensive weakness, but it remains worth mentioning that they are uninterrupted in five games participated against FBS Independent teams.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Trends
Notre Dame is red-hot ATS, covering in their last 10 games. Their games have leaned toward high-scoring affairs, with the total going over in 13 of their last 20. However, their January struggles (2-10 SU) highlight potential vulnerabilities in postseason play.
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends
Penn State has been steady ATS (5-2 in their last 7 games) and strong SU (13-2). The over has hit in four of their last six contests, indicating their offensive firepower. Yet, their January struggles (1-6 SU) mirror Notre Dame’s postseason inconsistencies.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Previews
Notre Dame has been performing exceptionally during the season, and with their offense being more than enough to cover the gaps left in their defense, one can easily consider betting on Notre Dame. Nevertheless, there is a chance Penn State will leave their mark with Drew Allar and Tyler Warren leading the Penn State passing offense. For the Irish covering the spread of – 2.5 and betting the over on 44.5 should prove to be a good option.
Futures including Drew Allar’s passing touchdown prop should also be taken into consideration, along with Jeremiyah Love scoring one. Although the level of confidence in the fighting Irish is rather high, the game could go either way since Penn State have a balanced offensive.
Score Prediction: Notre Dame Fighting Irish 27, Penn State Nittany Lions 24.
