Trimmings: Taking a first look at Penn State's matchup with Notre Dame

by:Sean Fitz•01/03/25•

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NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl-Penn State at Boise State — Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) practices before the Fiesta Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Penn State waited an extra day to await word on its opponent in the Orange Bowl, and by Thursday evening the Nittany Lions learned they would be getting a classic college football matchup with Notre Dame in the national semifinals. The Fighting Irish dispatched Georgia on Thursday in the Sugar Bowl, 23-10, and will now face Penn State for the first time since 2007. The Fighting Irish mirror Penn State in a number of ways, so at first look the matchups are quite close. What will the Nittany Lions need to accomplish in the next week?