The 91st Orange Bowl options two of the highest defenses within the nation, with every staff sitting high 5 in factors allowed per sport. The Nittany Lions are permitting 15.8 factors, whereas the Irish sit two factors forward at 13.8. Penn State entered the playoffs because the No. 6 seed after dropping its convention title sport to Oregon, whereas Notre Dame is within the semifinals because the No. 7 seed, not receiving a possibility for a first-round bye as an unbiased program. 

Each groups have cruised to the semis, with Penn State beating SMU 38-10 and Boise State 31-14. The Irish took down Indiana within the first spherical 27-17 in a sport that was not as shut because the rating signifies, earlier than controlling No. 2 Georgia 23-10 within the Sugar Bowl. 

Each groups are powered offensively by their floor video games, with every averaging over 200 speeding yards per contest. Penn State is led by the two-headed working again assault of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, witch every working over 1,000 yards on the bottom this season. Notre Dame’s speeding assault is led by workhorse Jeremiyah Love at working again and dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard, who sits second on the staff in speeding with over 750 yards. 

There are two names to be careful for defensively for every staff — Abdul Cater for PSU and Xavier Watts for Notre Dame. Carter, seemingly a first-round decide within the 2025 NFL draft, is an explosive edge rusher for the Nittany Lions, tallying 11 sacks on the season. He went out with an obvious arm damage within the first half towards Boise State. Penn State will definitely hope for his return come subsequent Thursday.

Watts is a two-time All-American security for the Irish, who leads his staff with six interceptions and a compelled fumble on the 12 months. He’s a quarterback’s worst nightmare within the secondary, and Notre Dame will depend on him once more within the Orange Bowl. 

Right here is how the 2 groups matchup: