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College Football Playoff Semifinals: Who Will Advance to the Championship?

Local reporters take their picks on who will advance to the CFP championship game.

Penn State football has taken its first College Football Playoff appearance by storm, with back-to-back blowout wins against No. 11 SMU and No. 3 Boise State.

But with a trip to the CFP national championship on the line, the Nittany Lions will now face their toughest challenge yet: Notre Dame. No. 6 Penn State (13-2) and No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1) will meet up in the CFP Orange Bowl semifinal on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium down in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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The Nittany Lions are appearing in their sixth Orange Bowl, their second-most appearances at one of the New Year's Six bowl games, and first since 2006.

In order to secure the first spot in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 20 in Atlanta, Drew Allar and Co. will have to be on their A-Game — especially if star linebacker Abdul Carter is unable to go with his upper-body injury.

The reason for this is Notre Dame's defense. The Irish's unit has been one of college football's fiercest all season, entering Thursday's semifinal with a nation-leading 31 caused turnovers and college football's second-ranked scoring defense at 13.6 points per game.

REQUIRED READING: Penn State football Orange Bowl record, history ahead of CFP semifinal vs Notre Dame

With that, follow along for live scores, updates and highlights of Thursday's CFP semifinal game between Penn State and Notre Dame:

Penn State vs Notre Dame score updates

This section will be updated when the game begins

Penn State vs Notre Dame CFP live updates

This section has been updated with new information

Penn State will take a 10-3 lead over Notre Dame into the locker room, as Irish kicker Mitch Jeter hits a 41-yard field goal just before time expires. Nittany Lions linebacker Abdul Carter came up with a big sack on Irish backup quarterback Steve Angeli on first-and-10, and Notre Dame let the clock run down before taking a timeout and kicking a field goal.

The big question for Notre Dame will now be the status of Riley Leonard, who was reportedly being evaluated for a concussion during the final series. For now, the Irish will turn to Angeli, who avoided disaster by fielding a bad snap on the Carter sack before the end of the half.

The Nittany Lions extend their lead to 10-0, as Nick Singleton plunges into the end zone for a 5-yard carry. It's the 40th career touchdown for the Penn State running back.

The scoring drive goes 15 plays for 90 yards and took 7:17 off the game clock. It's all Penn State right now, as Notre Dame still has no answer for the Nittany Lions' running game.

Notre Dame still has no answer for Kaytron Allen, as the Penn State junior running back breaks a tackle up the middle for a 20-yard carry.

Big play for Penn State's offense, which has struggled with the passing game thus far tonight. Drew Allar is 2 for 2 on screen passesas Drew Allar is 2 for 2 on screen passes but 2 of 10 on other passes. Allen has nine carries for 48 rushing yards.

The Nittany Lions are the first to get on the board, as Penn State kicker Ryan Barker converts a 20-yard field goal. Penn State had a touchdown opportunity on third-and-goal from Notre Dame's 3-yard line, but Drew Allar's pass to Nick Singleton falls short.

Penn State is knocking at the door as the first quarter comes to an end at the Orange Bowl. Notre Dame's defense has stopped Kaytron Allen from getting into the end zone on back-to-back plays, the latter of two ended in a 2-yard loss.

Nittany Lions will face a third-and-goal from the Irish 3-yard line to open the second half.

Penn State rolls the dice early, and it pays off as Nick Singleton bounces off the right side and picks up the first down with a 4-yard carry. Nittany Lions moving on offense, as they are now at the Irish 22-yard line following 7 and 8-yard carries from Singleton and Kaytron Allen, respectively.

Penn State's defense comes up with the first turnover of the game!

On third-and-12, Nittany Lions' safety Zakee Wheatley picks off Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard on a pass intended for Jayden Harrison down the middle of the field. Penn State takes over at its 42-yard line.

After giving up a 32-yard catch on third-and-7, Penn State's defense responds back with three stops to force Notre Dame to punt. Amin Vanover and AJ Harris recorded each recorded a broken-up pass on second and third down, respectively

Nittany Lions will start at their 2-yard line after Zion Tracy calls a fair catch on Notre Dame punter James Rendell's punt.

As Penn State's defense trots out onto the field, it does so with star linebacker Abdul Carter, who has been dealing with an upper-body injury.

A false start penalty on third-and-9 eventually forces Penn State to punt on its first drive, as Drew Allar's pass to Kaytron Allen is well short of the first down.

Nittany Lions' defense on deck.

Drew Allar gets the ball off just as Notre Dame's defensive line pressures him, dumping it off to running back Nick Singleton for a 23-yard reception. The Nittany Lions have first-and-10 at Notre Dame's 46-yard line.

Drew Allar and Penn State's offense will head out on the field first, as Notre Dame won the coin toss and deferred the kickoff to the second half. 

With the national anthem finished, Penn State and Notre Dame are just a few minutes away from kickoff at the Orange Bowl. Only remaining pregame event left is the coin toss!

Former Penn State star defensive players Micah Parson and Chop Robinson are at Hard Rock Stadium for Thursday's CFP Orange Bowl semifinal vs. Notre Dame.

As reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel, Nittany Lions' linebacker Abdul Carter has his injured left shoulder heavily wrapped during warmups at Hard Rock Stadium. Penn State coach James Franklin told ESPN's Katie George on "College GameDay" that Carter remains a game time decision vs. Notre Dame.

Tyler Warren is one of the first Nittany Lions players to head onto the field at Hard Rock Stadium. Warren is coming off a monster outing in the Fiesta Bowl vs. Boise State, where he finished with six catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns.

Franklin told ESPN’s Katie George pregame on the field that Abdul Carter remains a game time decision but “all indications ... have been positive” regarding his star linebacker this week in practice. 

“It’s been great,” said Franklin when asked how Carter has progressed this week. “It’s going to be a game time decision and see how he looks when he comes out here (for warmups). All indications that he has given me, based on the week of prep, have been positive.” 

The Nittany Lions have finally arrived to Hard Rock Stadium for their CFP semifinal game against Notre Dame with 90 minutes to go until kickoff. Penn State arrived to the stadium roughly 25-30 minutes after Notre Dame according to reports on X.

Former Penn State defensive lineman Chop Robinson narrated the Nittany Lions' CFP semifinal hype video vs. Notre Dame. Robinson, who was taken No. 24 overall in 2024 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, finished with 26 total tackles and six sacks in his first season in the NFL.

"From the heart of Happy Valley to the brightest lights of Miami, our DNA does not change. We are rooted in tradition. We are blue collar, hard nosed Penn State football," Robinson said in the video.

White Out in the 305? Sure looks like it. As seen in a post on the Nittany Lions' X account (formerly Twitter), workers at Hard Rock Stadium have placed white-colored shakers on the seats in the Penn State section of the stadium. 

The Nittany Lions held a true White Out game at Beaver Stadium ahead of their CFP first-round game against No. 11 SMU.

If there is any indication on what the atmosphere will be like inside Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday, one doesn't need to look further to the welcome Notre Dame received as its busses arrived to the stadium: boos and "We Are" Penn State chants.

There appears to be a strong contingent of Penn State fans that have traveled to Miami for Thursday's CFP semifinal. A Nittany Lions fan has even paid to have "We Are Penn State" chant sign over the Atlantic Ocean.  So this only leaves one thing up for discussion: South Beach or Happy Valley South? 

Penn State star linebacker Abdul Carter remains a game-time decision for Thursday's CFP Orange Bowl semifinal vs. Notre Dame. Carter sustained an upper-body injury in the second quarter of the Nittany Lions' Fiesta Bowl win vs. Boise State, and did not play the entire second half.

Click here to read more on Carter's injury and status for Thursday's game.

REQUIRED READING: Abdul Carter injury update: Will Penn State DE play vs Notre Dame in Orange Bowl?

As the "home" team, due to being the higher seed, in Thursday's CFP semifinal, Penn State will rock their home blue uniform against Notre Dame. Penn State brings 4-1 record at the Orange Bowl into Thursday's game.

Penn State vs Notre Dame time today

• Date: Thursday, Jan. 9
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

The Nittany Lions and Irish will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 9 from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida in the College Football Playoff Orange Bowl semifinal.

What channel is Penn State vs Notre Dame game on today?

Penn State's College Football Playoff semifinals game against Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login), ESPN+, ESPN's subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Sean McDonough and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy will have the call from the booth at Hard Rock Stadium, with Molly McGrath and Katie George both reporting from the sidelines.

REQUIRED READING: What makes him so good for Penn State football now? 'Kaytron ... has run like a wild man.'

Penn State vs Notre Dame history

• Series record: Penn State, Notre Dame tied 9-9-1
• Penn State's last win: Sept. 8, 2007 (31-10)
• Notre Dame's last win: Sept. 9, 2006 (41-17)

Thursday's meeting between Penn State and Notre Dame will be the 20th all-time meeting between both programs. The all-time series between the Nittany Lions and Irish is even at 9-9-1, with Penn State winning the most recent matchup in 2007.

Penn State vs Notre Dame predictions

Here's a look at some predictions for Thursday's CFP semifinal between Penn State and Notre Dame:

Penn State vs Notre Dame betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Tuesday, Jan. 7

• Spread: Notre Dame -1.5
• Over/under: 45.5
• Moneyline: Notre Dame (-125) | Penn State (+105)

Penn State vs Notre Dame injury updates

This section will be updated once both teams release their respective injury reports

Penn State vs Notre Dame weather update

According to forecasts from The Weather Channel, it will be a high of 68 degrees in Miami Gardens on Thursday, with a 0% chance of rain. Temperatures are expected to drop to the low of 50 degrees on Thursday.

Hard Rock Stadium is partly enclosed stadium, meaning Penn State vs. Notre Dame will have to deal slightly with the weather Thursday as the temperature drops.

Penn State football schedule 2024

Here's a look at Penn State's schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:

• Saturday, Aug. 31: at West Virginia (W, 34-12)
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Bowling Green (W, 34-27 win)
• Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Kent State (W, 56-0)
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. No. 21 Illinois (W, 21-7) *
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. UCLA (W, 27-11) *
• Saturday, Oct. 12: at USC (W, 33-30) (OT) *
• Saturday, Oct. 19: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 26: at Wisconsin (W, 28-13) *
• Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. No. 4 Ohio State (L, 20-13) *
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Washington (W, 35-6) *
• Saturday, Nov. 16: at Purdue (W, 49-10) *
• Saturday, Nov. 23: at Minnesota (W, 26-25) *
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Maryland (W, 44-7) *
• Saturday, Dec. 7: vs. No. 1 Oregon (Big Ten championship) (L, 45-37)
• Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 11 SMU (CFP first round) ** (W, 38-10)
• Tuesday, Dec. 31: vs. No. 3 Boise State (CFP Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal) ** (W, 31-14)
• Thursday, Jan. 9: vs. No. 7 Notre Dame (CFP Orange Bowl semifinal)
• Record: 13-2, 8-1 Big Ten

* Denotes Big Ten game

** Denotes CFP ranking

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Notre Dame football schedule 2024

Here's a look at Notre Dame's schedule in 2024, including past scores and results:

• Saturday, Aug. 31: at No. 20 Texas A&M (W, 23-13)
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Northern Illinois (L, 16-14)
• Saturday, Sept. 14: at Purdue (W, 66-7)
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Miami (Ohio) (W, 28-3)
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. No. 15 Louisville (W, 31-24)
• Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Stanford (W, 49-7)
• Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. Georgia Tech (W, 31-13)
• Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. No. 24 Navy (W, 51-14)
• Saturday, Nov. 2: BYE
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Florida State (W, 52-3)
• Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. Virginia (W, 35-14)
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. No. 17 Army (W, 49-14)
• Saturday, Nov. 30: at USC (W, 49-35)
• Friday, Dec. 20: vs. No. 10 Indiana (CFP first round) (W, 27-17) *
• Thursday, Jan. 2: vs. No. 2 Georgia (CFP Sugar Bowl quarterfinal) (W, 23-10) *
• Thursday, Jan. 9: vs. No. 6 Penn State (CFP Orange Bowl semifinal) *
• Record: 13-1

* Denotes CFP ranking

Penn State football news

Here's a few pregame reads surrounding the Nittany Lions:

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