Notre Dame is only one win away from a trip to the National Championship—something they haven't accomplished in over a decade and haven't won in over forty years.
Art by The Irish Tribune
Liam Farrell - Associate Editor, Senior Football Writer
Score Prediciton: 27-10 Notre Dame
The Notre Dame pass rush gets to Drew Allar early and rattles the Penn State quarterback. In a game where Notre Dame must take control early, the Irish defense forces an early turnover and turns it into points.
The Notre Dame rushing attack is far more explosive than it was against Georgia and Jadarian Price breaks a run similar to his touchdown scamper against Texas A&M.
On the other hand, the Penn State offensive line struggles to move the ND front and Singleton and Allen can’t find perimeter rushing gaps.
It will be close throughout before Notre Dame pulls away with the game in the late third quarter. My bold prediction for this game is that Kris Mitchell will have Notre Dame’s longest-receiving touchdown catch of the season.
Clayton Stohler - First & Gold Podcast Co-Host
Score Prediction: 27-10 Notre Dame
Outclassed from start to finish. Penn State is a good team with an elite coordinator duo. It has individual talent in Edwards, Singleton, Allar, and Warren that command respect on offense. Abdul Carter is a freak of nature. But ultimately, it won’t be enough because Penn State lacks something ND doesn’t. Killer instinct. It will be on full display as ND plays cleaner than they did in the first 2 games of the playoffs. Namely on offense. The o-line wakes up, Jadarian Price and Mitch Evans with the strongest showings in their respective seasons. It’s an all-out whooping with zero mercy on the menu. ND punches their ticket to the title game in emphatic fashion.
Brady Burden - Social Media Intern
Score Prediction: 35-24 Notre Dame
The Irish continue to assert their dominance on the defensive side of the ball, forcing multiple turnovers that result in scores for the Notre Dame offense. Despite the injuries, Freeman has the guys ready to go for another big-time matchup, walk away as Orange Bowl champs, and head to the National Championship.
Noah Wehby - Writer
Score Prediction: 24-21 Notre Dame
In a way, this game may be more difficult than the one against Georgia. Notre Dame’s offense will need to be more efficient than the one that was on the field in the Sugar Bowl because of Penn State’s ability to put up points. Neither Love nor Price broke a big run against Georgia, so Notre Dame seems due for an explosive run. Defensively, it will all be about stopping the Penn State ground game that has caused so many problems for other teams. Notre Dame will be up to the task with their physical and stout front. Overall, the game will be decided by the turnover margin which Notre Dame will win with an interception or two.
Peter Mulroy - Associate Editor, First & Gold Podcast Host
Score Prediction: 28-17 Notre Dame
On a night where both teams’ emotions will be running as high as they have in quite some time, expect this game to be another good one.
Two top-flight defenses who possess strong leadership at the QB position and incredibly gifted running games will make for great entertainment, but in the end, it’s my belief that Marcus Freeman’s unit -- guided by the support of coordinators Al Golden and Mike Denbrock -- will lead the Irish to their first national title berth since 2012.
Despite Jeremiyah Love being banged up -- like everyone else this time of year -- look for the electrifying sophomore to pace the ND backfield alongside running mate Jadarian Price, while Riley Leonard continues to make plays, particularly as it relates to extending drives with his legs. Defensively, following a brilliant performance against Georgia, the Irish will keep the physicality high as they look to stop Penn State back Nick Singleton in a similar fashion to the way they shut down UGA’s ground attack last week in New Orleans.
As mentioned earlier, no one comes into this game 100% healthy, and while the Nittany Lions might be a bit “healthier” on the first line, the Irish are deeper. Even though Cooper Flanigan is gone for the remainder of the season, Love and Howard Cross III are good to go for this one, and that’s huge. The Irish have supported their injured at a high level all season. They’ll do it again tonight.
Simply put: Notre Dame will be too much in a battle between two historic programs.
Brenden Duffy - Associate Editor, Senior Staff Writer
Score Prediction: 24-21 Notre Dame
Run the damn ball. This will be the key for both teams. Given their success against IU and UGA, it is hard to imagine the Irish run game will be stopped tonight.
The key on defense for ND will be putting pressure on Allar. Like most QBs, this is when he is at his worst. The Irish will likely need one or two Allar mistakes to win this game and I expect that to occur.
Connor Regan - Long-Form Writer
Score Prediction: 27-23 Notre Dame
Both teams boast elite defensive units, but unlike the Georgia game, both offenses will find it easier to score points. This time, Love and Price will shine and deliver a more balanced offensive performance than against Georgia. This will be Notre Dame’s most complete offensive display in the playoffs so far. Expect a signature Price breakaway score and a couple of passing touchdowns by Leonard.
Notre Dame’s defense will find a way to disrupt Allar and shut down Tyler Warren, forcing Penn State’s offense to rely on the ground game. Ultimately, the Nittany Lions won’t have enough firepower to overcome the Irish. They’ll settle for a few field goals on stalled drives early on and won’t be able to mount a significant comeback through the air.
This game will be even closer than Notre Dame-Georgia, but the Irish will manage to stay just out of Penn State’s reach the entire game, culminating in a narrow victory.
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame punch their ticket to the 2025 National Championship game.
Max Uretsky - Analyst
Score Prediction: 24-17 Notre Dame
The Irish are playing with a different kind of fire right now and I think that continues this week. I was not overly impressed with the Penn State victory over Boise State. They benefited from two fumbles, three interceptions, and two missed field goals and still didn't really pull away until late in the game. Notre Dame will not do them those same favors. Both teams will look to lean on their run game against talented fronts but the Sugar Bowl proved ND knows how to find ways to pick up yards when necessary even when the rushing attack isn't picking up the huge yardage they are accustomed to. The ability to get consistent pressure on PSU quarterback Drew Allar will force him into some bad throws that ND will take advantage of and use to flip the field.
Mitch Jeter continues his hot kicking streak with a couple of late second-half field goals that seal the game and send Notre Dame to the National Championship!
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