Two prestigious college football programs are set to clash in Miami, eyeing a coveted spot in the national championship game. The No. 6 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions will face off against the No. 7 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl on January 9, as they rekindle a longstanding rivalry that hasn’t seen action in nearly two decades. This game serves as a semifinal matchup in the College Football Playoff, with the winner progressing to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game scheduled for January 20 in Atlanta, where they will compete against the victor of the Cotton Bowl featuring No. 8 Ohio State and No. 5 Texas.
Under the leadership of head coach James Franklin, Penn State solidified its place in the Orange Bowl after a decisive victory over No. 11 SMU in the first round, followed by a triumph against No. 3 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Meanwhile, Notre Dame, directed by coach Marcus Freeman, earned their spot by defeating No. 10 Indiana and overcoming No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
In anticipation of this thrilling matchup, let’s revisit the Penn State-Notre Dame football rivalry. Historically, these teams have met 19 times, with an even split of victories: each team boasts 9 wins and 1 tie in head-to-head clashes. Their inaugural game took place on November 7, 1913, where Notre Dame secured a narrow 14-7 victory in State College, Pennsylvania. The most recent encounter occurred at the beginning of the 2007 season, where Penn State avenged a previous loss by defeating Notre Dame 31-10 at Beaver Stadium on September 8, 2007.
From 1981 until 1992, these teams faced each other annually, but since their last meetings in 2006 and 2007, they have played only twice. Penn State and Notre Dame have also crossed paths in a bowl game once before, with Notre Dame winning the 1976 Gator Bowl 20-9.
This upcoming showdown not only marks a significant moment in college football history but also symbolizes a reunion of fierce competitors, promising an exciting display of talent and teamwork. Fans are hopeful that this game will reignite a tradition of rivalry that captivates audiences and celebrates the spirit of college football.
With the anticipation of this match building, both teams have shown immense resilience and skill throughout the playoff, making for an exciting showdown that could potentially alter the landscape of college football as they fight for championship glory.