The paths of Notre Dame football and Penn State cross Thursday for the first time since 2007 with a spot in the national championship game at stake

Since Notre Dame's season finale win in Los Angeles against USC on November 30, star running back Jeremiyah Love hasn't been quite right. He still dazzled with a 98-yard touchdown run in the first round of the College Football Playoff game against Indiana, while also battling a cold, but it was clear to see he was still not feeling quite right.

Jimmie Kaylor revealed his College Football Playoff semifinal picks for Penn State vs. Notre Dame in the 2025 Orange Bowl on Thursday

Drew Allar, Riley Leonard and both defenses will play a key role when Penn State and Notre Dame meet in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl.

The Penn State Nittany Lions take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game.

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren will be challenged by Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl.

Penn State was unable to corral Oregon’s offense in the Big Ten Championship though, allowing 496 total yards while dropping a 45-37 decision to the then undefeated Ducks. The Nittany Lions eviscerated SMU in the first round of the CFP Playoff,

While Notre Dame’s win against Georgia was the first win in a big bowl game in more than 30 years, Penn State is still searching for that level of win under James Franklin. The Nittany Lions had the so-called easy path to the semifinals and took advantage with a dominant win against SMU and a comfortable win against Boise State.

Micah Shrewsberry is one of the few college coaches who can say he's worked at both Notre Dame and Penn State as those teams get set to meet in a CFP semifinal

Penn State and Notre Dame play in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The teams have played 19 times, including 12 consecutive years from 1981 to 1992.