Notre Dame vs. Penn State Prediction & Odds: College Football Playoff

Two teams that have been dominant in the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff will face off as Notre Dame (13-1) will take on Penn State (13-2) in the Orange Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 9, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Notre Dame pulled off a 23-10 victory over No. 2-ranked Georgia in the Sugar Bowl as part of the CFP quarterfinals after a 27-17 win over Indiana in the first round of the bracket. Penn State beat SMU 38-10 in the first round of the playoffs before earning a 31-14 victory over No. 3 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, which was also in the CFP quarterfinals.

The Fighting Irish are 1.5-point favorites despite being the lower seed. However, both teams have been fairly strong in the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff, and both have standout playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Here is a look at the latest Notre Dame vs. Penn State college football odds and my prediction for this CFP clash:

Notre Dame vs. Penn State Odds, Jan. 9

• Point spread: Notre Dame -1.5 (-125)
• Total: 46.5

Notre Dame vs. Penn State Prediction – Thursday, Jan. 9

Based on the latest college football betting lines at the BetMGM online sportsbook, my Notre Dame vs. Penn State prediction is to take the Nittany Lions’ moneyline (+105). I also project the game will go Under 46.5 total points.

Both of these programs have been dominant defensively in the postseason thus far, as neither team has allowed anyone to score more than 17 points in any of their combined four CFP games. Notre Dame limited Georgia and Indiana to a total of 27 points. Penn State, meanwhile, is fresh off a win over Boise State where the Nittany Lions gave up just 14 points and limited Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty to 104 rushing yards on 30 carries. Penn State also thwarted SMU’s offensive game plan and gave up 10 points in the opening round of the CFP.

That’s why I think this game will be low-scoring, although the health of Penn State star defensive end and potential first-round draft pick Abdul Carter will be worth monitoring. Either way, I expect Penn State quarterback Drew Allar will make enough precise throws, just like he did early against Boise State, to put his team in position to win.

Prediction: Penn State Moneyline (+105)