Another week, another Penn State football College Football Playoff game.

This time, the Nittany Lions take on Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl in the playoff semifinal. Penn State handled Boise State 31-14, while Notre Dame beat Georgia 23-10. Like the Nittany Lions, the Fighting Irish have a red-hot team. Let’s take a look at the group ahead of Thursday’s clash in South Florida.

The Team

Notre Dame went 11-1 this season, and its lone defeat was the infamous 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois in September. The Fighting Irish defeated Indiana 27-17 in the first round of the playoffs, then beat Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl last week.

Marcus Freeman is 32-8 in his three seasons as head coach in South Bend. He previously served as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2021. The Ohio native was a linebacker for Ohio State from 2004 to 2008.

Al Golden is Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, having held the role since 2022. He played at Penn State under Joe Paterno from 1988 to 1991.

Mike Denbrock is the offensive coordinator and is in his third stint in South Bend. He served as the offensive tackles and tight ends coach from 2002 to 2004, the tight ends, outside wide receivers, and passing game coordinator between 2010 and 2013 before becoming the offensive coordinator in 2014. He was the associate head coach from 2015 to 2016 but spent time at Cincinnati and LSU before rejoining the Irish to be the offensive coordinator again this season.

Penn State has a 9-9-1 series record against Notre Dame. The last matchup was in 2007, which the Nittany Lions won 31-10 at Beaver Stadium.

Offense

Notre Dame is averaging 39.4 points and 406.6 yards per game.

Riley Leonard is Notre Dame’s starting quarterback. The Duke transfer has 2,383 passing yards for 18 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 66.5% completion rate. He also has 831 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. He had 90 passing and 80 rushing yards against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Jeremiyah Love is the primary running back, with 1,076 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s a little banged up but is expected to play Thursday. If he doesn’t, Jadarian Price, who has 720 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, will take his place.

Beaux Collins leads Notre Dame’s wideouts with 458 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Jaden Greathouse has 359 yards and one touchdown, while Jordan Faison has 325 and one. Tight end Mitchell Evans has 311 yards and three touchdowns.

Anthony Knapp and Billy Schrauth start at left tackle and guard. Pat Coogan is at center, while Rocco Spindler and Aamil Wagner are at right guard and tackle.

Defense

Notre Dame has the No. 12-ranked total defense, currently allowing 287 yards per game. The Fighting Irish compensate for their No. 38-ranked passing defense with the No. 11-ranked rushing defense.

Linebacker Jack Kiser leads the team with 69 tackles and has two fumble recoveries and a sack. He lines up next to Drayk Bowen, who has 56 tackles and one sack. Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed also get serious action. Ausberry has 51 tackles, while Sneed has 44 and 2.5 sacks.

Gabriel Rubio and Howard Cross III are expected to start at defensive tackle. Rubio has 10 tackles and a sack, while Cross has 23 and four. Rylie Mills, Notre Dame’s standout defensive lineman, is out with an injury. RJ Oben and Joshua Burnham are expected to start at defensive end. Burnham has 24 tackles and a fumble recovery, while Oben has 16 and a sack.

Notre Dame’s secondary is led by Xavier Watts, who has 67 tackles and a team-most six interceptions. Alongside him is Adon Shuler, who has 52 tackles and three interceptions.

Leonard Moore and Christian Gray are at cornerback. Moore has 42 tackles, 10 breakups, and two interceptions, while Gray has 30, nine, and two.

Special Teams

Mitch Jeter is 11-of-18 on field goal attempts, with his longest as a 49-yard attempt. James Rendell is averaging 41.8 yards per punt.

Jayden Harrison is averaging 27.4 yards per kickoff return, including a touchdown. Meanwhile, Max Hurleman is averaging 6 yards per kickoff return.