Penn State vs. Notre Dame College Football Playoff score prediction: Orange Bowl preview feat. Drew Allar, Riley Leonard, Abdul Carter and more

The semifinals of the College Football Playoff kick off Thursday evening, as Penn State and Notre Dame meet in the Orange Bowl. The winner will advance to the title game. For Penn State, this will be the toughest game of the easiest road for any team hoping to make it to the January 20 championship game. Meanwhile, the Irish hope to keep the momentum going after an unexpected victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Penn State vs Notre Dame College Football Playoff preview

Compared to what Notre Dame faced in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, the Nittany Lions are not nearly as talented on defense. Yet, they are much more explosive, experienced and rounded on the scoring side of the ball.

The Irish will have to find a way to stop the running back duo of Nick Singleton, the quick creative ball carrier who is a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield, and Kaytron Allen, the downhill power back who can also catch the ball. Allen was dominant during the Nittany Lions’ victory over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, rushing for 134 yards on 17 carries. In the prior game, it was Singleton who led the way against SMU with 90 yards on the frozen turf at Beaver Stadium.

Syndication: Arizona Republic - Source: Imagn

And the Irish secondary best have eyes in the back of their head, as quarterback Drew Allar, who has not been asked to do much for Penn State during the first two games, can light it up and dominate at any time. Of course, Allar’s favorite target is tight end Tyler Warren, a potential first-round pick who posted a career-best 98 catches, 1,158 yards and eight TDs this season.

Notre Dame did a lot of twisting and gaming up front against the large Georgia offensive line, something they’ll need to do against the less talented Nittany Lions front. And besides safety, Xavier Watts, who’s played well the past two weeks, sophomore cornerback Christian Gray has shut down opponents and looks like a star in the making.

Yet the matchup against Warren could be troublesome for the Irish. None of their starting linebackers have the size to stop Warren, and those that do, such as Junior Tuihalamaka, are better at rushing the passer than covering the pass.

NCAA Football: Sugar Bowl-Notre Dame at Georgia - Source: Imagn

When Notre Dame has the ball, quarterback Riley Leonard will need to step up his game -- big time. Leonard passed for 201 yards in the victory over Indiana then just 90 against Georgia, though he did rush for 80 yards.

With the right knee of star running back Jeremiyah Love still ailing, Leonard will have to carry the offense -- again.

Penn State has a terrific defense that goes beyond Abdul Carter, their impactful leader who’s set to be a top-eight pick in April’s draft.

Abdul Carter; NCAA Football: Fiesta Bowl-Penn State at Boise State - Source: Imagn

Dani Dennis-Sutton, the team's other pass rusher, has improved all season long and was terrific in both playoff games. Kobe King is a dominant run-defending linebacker, while safety Jaylen Reed does a little of everything well. And clogging the middle of the field are Coziah Izzard and Dvon J-Thomas, an underrated duo of defensive tackles.

Penn State vs Notre Dame score prediction and final verdict for Orange Bowl

You cannot count out Notre Dame after the Sugar Bowl, yet the completeness of the Penn State offense will make it hard for them to pull another upset. Their only hope is the Nittany Lions keep the Irish in the game, as they did with Boise State, and Notre Dame has a chance at a late upset.

FINAL: PENN STATE 28, NOTRE DAME 17