CFP Orange Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Penn State
Photo Credit: MSN
Notre Dame Fighting Irish -1.5 vs. Penn State; Total 45.5
In the Sugar Bowl we hit the nail on the head with the handicap with Notre Dame. It’s time to do it again for the Orange Bowl in Miami tonight. Let’s get into it!
When the College Football Playoff bracket came out it was apparent that Penn State drew the easiest path. The Nittany Lions were matched with the SMU Mustangs in Happy Valley in the cold and if they won Boise State was next. Penn State did enough to force SMU to defeat themselves. Then, they came out like fire against Boise managing to hold onto their win. Now, they must step up in weight class and face the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. How will the fare?
It was no surprise that Georgia wasn’t going to have their starting quarterback but I don’t think that would have made a difference in the Sugar Bowl. Carson Beck was trending down except for against Tennessee but we know they were not as good as expected. Notre Dame dominated with their defense first by stopping the UGA running game. Special teams and turnovers took care of the rest. Let’s not forget Riley Leonard took care of the football and put up the points the defense needed.
Turnovers are always important but they have been carrying Penn State to the point. SMU QB Kevin Jennings quite literally gave the game to Penn State with two pick sixes and at least four turnovers. I lost count. Boise State also showed they had the fire power to keep up with Penn State but their turnovers also killed them between fumbles and interceptions. Not to mention a key early blocked FG.
Who will take home the coveted Orange Bowl trophy along with a National Championship ticket? Will it be Penn State with it’s pass rush, defensive turnovers and NFL weapons on offense? Or Notre Dame behind Riley Leonard and one of the best defenses in the country?
It all goes back to how Penn State played in the first two games in my opinion. They did enough not to lose and not so much dominate their competition. SMU and Boise both were able to move the ball through the air. SMU was able to spread out PSU and it was working great until Jennings’ mental errors. Boise State had PSU on its heels until their freshman QB melted down late with interceptions. Drew Allar and PSU struggled with the Boise pass rush. SMU also played great defense until they were on the field constantly and the game out of reach.
In this game I trust Marcus Freeman and Riley Leonard. It all starts with the defense. I think the defense will give Allar big problems and expose them because the Irish is able to stuff the PSU running game. When Allar is forced to pass it’s an issue and that happened in the 2H of the Fiesta Bowl. The Fighting Irish special teams has also been great during this CFP stretch. The quarterback that takes care of the football will win the game tonight and I believe it’s going to be Riley Leonard. He’s locked in while Allar is thinking about the NFL draft per quotes earlier this week. I think it’s another grind out game and Notre Dame grinds down Penn State first.
