Penn State is heading to the Orange Bowl with a chance to play for a College Football Playoff national championship game on the line. The Nittany Lions are about to face their stiffest challenge yet in this year’s expanded College Football Playoff format, and a team that is similar to Penn State in a number of ways. This one should be good.
Here is a quick brief on what you need to know about what’s next for the Nittany Lions.
Who will Penn State play next in the College Football Playoff?
Penn State opened the College Football Playoff with a win at home against ACC runner-up SMU. The Nittany Lions then played in the Fiesta Bowl against Mountain West Conference champion Boise State, one of the four highest-ranked conference champions receiving a bye in the first round. Penn State’s victory over the Broncos punched a ticket to the Orange Bowl, where they will face Notre Dame.
Notre Dame opened the playoff with a home win against Indiana and then defeated SEC champion Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Both Penn State and Notre Dame were 11-1 in the regular season. Penn State is now 13-2 and the Irish will head to the Orange Bowl with a record of 13-1.
Opening Penn State vs. Notre Dame odds
The opening line for the Orange Bowl matchup gives Notre Dame a slight edge. Early lines show Notre Dame as a 1.5-point favorite. Penn State has only been an underdog twice this season, and they lost both of those games (against Ohio State in the regular season and Oregon in the Big Ten championship game).
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When does Penn State play Notre Dame in CFP?
Penn State and Notre Dame will meet in the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida. The game is the first semifinal game of the next round and will be played on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN, with additional broadcast options expected to be available for alternate viewing experiences.
Remaining College Football Playoff schedule
- Semifinal, Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame
Thursday, January 9, 2025
7:30 p.m., ESPN - Semifinal, Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State
Friday, January 10, 2025
7:30 p.m., ESPN - National Championship Game
Monday, January 20, 2025
7:30 p.m., ESPN
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