The first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff has presented some good matchups. Here is the 2025 Orange Bowl Preview.
Notre Dame won 11 games in the regular season and currently has a 12-game win streak going. They defeated seven bowl-eligible teams in the regular season: Texas A&M, Miami (OH), Louisville, Georgia Tech, Navy, Army and USC. Their lone loss of the season was to Northern Illinois, who did make a bowl game. They defeated Indiana 27-17 in the CFP first round, then defeated Georgia in the Sugar Bowl 23-10.
The Fighting Irish have scored a lot this season, as they average 37.7 points per game, ranking third in the country. They pass for 189.1 yards (ranked 106th) and rush for 217.6 yards per game (ranked 12th).
Duke transfer Riley Leonard as operated the offense at the quarterback position. He has passed for 2,383 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions on 66.5 percent completion. Seven players have at least 200 receiving yards this season for the Fighting Irish. Clemson transfer Beaux Collins has been the leading receiver with 37 catches for 458 yards and three touchdowns.
Two running backs have created a great duo for Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love leads the team with 1,076 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. Jadarian Price has been effective with 720 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Leonard has helped out from the quarterback position with his legs, putting up 831 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
The Fighting Irish defense allows 13.6 points per game, ranking second in the country. They give up 127.9 rushing yards and 167.4 passing yards per game. Jack Kiser has led the team with 75 total tackles this season. Rylie Mills has the team-high with 7.5 sacks, but he was injured in the first round of the CFP. Xavier Watts has been one of the best safeties in the country with nine passes defended and six interceptions.
Penn State won 11 games and made the Big Ten Championship Game before being selected as an at-large team for the CFP. They defeated seven bowl-eligible teams this regular season: West Virginia, Bowling Green, Illinois, USC, Washington, Minnesota and Maryland. Their only two losses, to Ohio State and Oregon, where to teams who are also in the CFP field. They defeated SMU 38-10 in the CFP First Round and followed it up with a 31-14 win in the second round.
The Nittany Lions score 33.7 points per game, ranking 19th in the country. They pass for 234.1 yards (ranked 53rd) and rush for 202.2 yards per game (ranked 16th).
Drew Allar has been the starting quarterback for the Nittany Lions this season after playing solidly last year. He has passed for 3,192 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 67.4 percent completion. Five receivers have at least 200 receiving yards on the season for Penn State. Tight end Tyler Warren has been a star this season with 98 receptions for 1,158 yards and eight touchdowns.
Two running backs lead the way for the Penn State rushing attack. Nicholas Singleton has been great with 1,015 yards and nine touchdowns. Kaytron Allen has also been successful with 1,026 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The rushing attack will be missing one wrinkle, as Beau Pribula is in the transfer portal. He would come in sporadically to mostly run the football.
The Penn State defense allows 15.8 points per game, ranking fifth in the country. They give up 101.1 rushing yards and 187.9 passing yards per game. Jaylen Reed and Kobe King have been the leading tacklers with 92 and 88 tackles respectively. Abdul Carter just started playing edge rusher full-time this season and has produced with 11 sacks. Elliott Washington has been good in the secondary with six passes defended and one interception.
Notre Dame’s defense has proven to be one of the best in the country. They can slow down the Penn State rush attack. The Nittany Lions have struggled to create separation at the wide receiver position, so the Fighting Irish can focus on Tyler Warren. On offense, Notre Dame can use Leonard’s legs to open things up on offense.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 28 Penn State Nittany Lions 24
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