The Fighting Irish are slight favorites over the Nittany Lions, who are getting some love from the algorithms.

This season, when Penn State has gone against a tougher defense in Ohio State and Oregon, scoring 13 against the Buckeyes and 37 against the Ducks. Notre Dame defense is more statistically similar to OSU’s, so expect an output closer to two scores, which is exactly what the Irish have averaged all year.

The Nittany Lions are one win away from playing for the College Football Playoff Championship. Next up: the Orange Bowl.

Penn State and Notre Dame renew their rivalry in the Orange Bowl, making it a hot ticket of the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame and Penn State playing in a college football game with national title implications? What decade is it? Neither classic power won a game in the four-team era of the College Football Playoff,

Before the 12-team College Football Playoff, Penn State was often the perennial bridesmaid, never the bride. In recent years, the Nittany Lions have frequently been on the outside looking in when it came to the four-team playoff,

Notre Dame is playing a historical 15 th game this season and the next opponent up is Penn State. The two program will be meeting each other for the Orange Bowl down in Miami, which is acting as a site for the 2024 College Playoff Semifinals.

Dive into Ben and Joe's detailed Orange Bowl preview for Thursday: Penn State vs. Notre Dame. Discover essential strategies and crucial player matchups.