The countdown to the Orange Bowl is on, with Notre Dame and Penn State set to face off in a high-stakes showdown that will determine who advances to the national championship game.
With just a few hours until kickoff, you can feel the excitement reaching a fever pitch and both teams are equally as confident that they will come out on top.
Notre Dame enters the game riding high after pulling off a commanding victory over SEC champion Georgia in the semifinal.
The Fighting Irish dominated in all three phases of the game in the 23-10 win.
The ripple effects from that night in New Orleans have been very real as even the biggest Notre Dame doubter quickly realized that Marcus Freeman’s team is for real.
Penn State, meanwhile, has cruised to convincing wins over SMU and Boise State, leaving little doubt about their dominance in those matchups.
Critics are quick to point to Penn State’s soft path to the semifinals. But hey, they took care of business and that’s all that matters. Period.
As anticipation builds, FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt shared his thoughts on the upcoming matchup during the latest episode of The Joel Klatt Show.
Klatt, known for his insightful breakdowns, made his pick for the Orange Bowl winner, expressing a strong preference for Notre Dame under head coach Marcus Freeman over Penn State led by James Franklin.
“I think both of these guys are very good coaches,” Klatt said. “And I would just say this like I think that ultimately it comes down to, from a picks perspective, who do you trust? And after the Northern Illinois loss, I trust Marcus Freeman.
“Situationally, Notre Dame is very sound. Look at the way they executed that punt to offense, getting the offside, like situationally, this team understands how to perform and execute.
“They also know who they are and lean into that blueprint defensively and offensively. They know what they are offensively, and they don’t generally veer outside of that.”
Klatt also pointed out that Notre Dame’s discipline and consistency make them less prone to costly mistakes, which could prove decisive in a tight contest.
“That’s the one question I have about Penn State,” Klatt said. “And this is why I trust Notre Dame just a little bit more. From Penn State’s perspective, I love this team. This is a really, really good team that, at times, can get in their own way in these games.
“Think about it. Now, they had first and goal inside the 10 yard line against Ohio State in the fourth quarter in order to go in and tie that game. And all of a sudden, the guy who got them down there didn’t touch the football, in Tyler Warren, did they learn their lesson?
“Didn’t seem like they did when all of a sudden, against Boise State, Kaytron Allen is the one going off. They’re going to run the football for 300 yards, if Kaytron Allen is just going to continue to get that outside zone carry.
“And they went away from it and became a pass first team against Boise State that has more sacks than anybody in the country.”
Ultimately, Klatt predicted a narrow victory for Notre Dame, citing their ability to capitalize on opportunities and avoid critical errors.
“I don’t know if Penn State has learned a lesson,” Klatt said. “Why have they not had the tipping point victory? Because of things like this. Because you can’t overcome yourself and the opponents all the time in these games.
“You’ve got to play it correctly. So I’m going to trust Notre Dame in this game. I think it’s going to be tight. I think that Notre Dame wins 24-20, I think they cover the 1.5, it’s somewhat low scoring, I think it’s going to be a great game, and I can’t wait for it.”
The winner of this much-anticipated Orange Bowl matchup will advance to face either Texas or Ohio State in the national championship game.
What are your thoughts on Klatt’s comments?
More importantly, what is YOUR prediction for tonight’s game???
