It's Penn State-Notre Dame in the CFP week: Game time, spread, channel, streaming info, storylines, more

Sixth-seeded Penn State meets seven-seed Notre Dame in one of two College Football Playoff semifinals set for next week. The Lions and Fighting Irish kick things off on Thursday at the Orange Bowl before Texas meets Ohio State on Fri., Jan. 10 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The winner of each of those contests meets at Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Mon., Jan. 20 for the national title.

“We’ve got to start game-planning for a tough opponent,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said after the Sugar Bowl. “I saw a little bit of the Penn State game, and it’s going to be a  great challenge for us. But I’m excited for it.”

Get ready for Lions-Fighting Irish with our early game preview.

Time and TV info

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 9. ESPN will televise the game. It is the second time Penn State will appear on that network in as many weeks. Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (color commentary), Kris Budden (sideline reporter), and Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter) will be on the radio call. The TV crew is TBD but likely to be Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy.

What is the Penn State-Notre Dame spread?

Notre Dame is a 1.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel. The over/under is 46.5 points.

Game week schedule for the Lions

Penn State head coach James Franklin speaks with reporters on campus today, Sat., Jan. 4. Four players from the offense will do the same. On Sun., Jan. 5, we will hear from members of the Nittany Lions defense. Monday appears to be an off day for media obligations. The team travels to Miami on Tue., Jan. 7. Once there, both coordinators plus some players will chat with reporters. A joint head coaches news conference is set for 9 a.m. on Wed., Jan. 8. And, then, game day is Thur., Jan. 9.

What’s up with Notre Dame?

Like Penn State, the 13-1 Fighting Irish have won two College Football Playoff contests already. After dispatching in-state foe Indiana on the opening round 27-17, the Fighting Irish knocked out Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl. ND has one of the worst losses of the season, as it dropped a home non-conference matchup with Northern Illinois 16-14 back in September. But, Freeman’s side hasn’t lost since. And, it’s suffocating defense has allowed 17 points or less nine times since that Week 2 setback.

Quarterback Riley Leonard leads the offense. He is completing 66.8 percent of his passes so far for 2,293 yards. He owns a 17-to-6 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio. And, if you watched the Sugar Bowl, you know he has no problem running. In fact, he’s second on the team in carries with 135, which is just seven less than top running back Jeremiyah Love, who owns a 142-1,057-16 stat line. Love is banged up (more on that below), which makes backup back Jadarian Price (100-683-7) a name to know. Beax Collins, who has 36 catches for 445 yards and two touchdowns, is the top receiver.

Penn State alum Al Golden’s defense is led by All-American safety Xavier Watts, who has six interceptions this season plus eight pass breakups and 60 tackles. Linebacker Jack Kiser leads the way in the latter department with 69. Defensive tackle Rylie Mills, who was lost in the Indiana game for the year with a knee injury, is still the team’s sack leader with 7.5.

Last but not least, kicker Mitch Jeter had an up-and-down regular season but has been lights out in the postseason.

Weather report

Hard Rock Stadium is an open-air venue. It looks like a windy day could be on tap. But, it should be dry. The high will hit 67 degrees during the day with a low of 49 degrees in the evening.

Early Penn State-Notre Dame storylines

–Will Abdul Carter play for Penn State? He left the Fiesta Bowl early with an injury to his left arm or shoulder, of course. And, even if he does suit up, will he be 100 percent? The same question can be asked of Notre Dame running back Love.

–Will the days-off difference be a big deal? The Nittany Lions, by virtue of playing Tuesday while the Sugar Bowl was delayed from Wednesday to Thursday due to the vehicle attack in New Orleans, own a two-day rest edge over the Fighting Irish.

–An African-American will lead his team into the national title game for the first time. It will either be James Franklin for Penn State or Marcus Freeman for Notre Dame.

–Can both teams play disciplined football? They are both in the back half of the country in penalties per game.

–Which defense will steal the show? And, if they both do, which offense can come up with enough answers? Decide that question, and you’ll have your winner.