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Penn State-Notre Dame early predictions are in; who is picking the Lions, Fighting Irish?

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel01/06/25GregPickel
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Penn State coach James Franklin (left) and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman (right). (Photos by Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images (left) and Matt Cashore-Imagn Images (right))

Penn State and Notre Dame both head to Miami tomorrow as each sits three days away from their College Football Playoff semifinal matchup at the Orange Bowl. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. ESPN is televising the game. Head coach Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish are a 1.5-point favorite over James Franklin’s Nittany Lions. Who are national media members picking to win the game and advance to the championship game? We’ve rounded up early picks below.

On3 national college football writers Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman are split on the outcome. The former likes Penn State to win and cover while the latter sees Notre Dame covering and winning outright.

“This is a really hard game to pick, but Notre Dame’s win over Georgia is more impressive than anything the Nittany Lions have done this year. I’m going to lean on that as important information, pick Notre Dame and get ready to potentially be wrong,” Wasserman writes.

Adds Staples in support of the Lions:

“The biggest difference between Penn State and the Georgia team Notre Dame just vanquished probably is offensive X-factor Tyler Warren. The Nittany Lions tight end can do everything, and he’s capable of making catches no one on the Notre Dame or Georgia roster can make. … This one really feels like a toss-up, though under 46.5 feels solid.”

NBC Sports’ Eric Froton is taking Penn State to win and cover.

“I have major questions about Notre Dame’s ability to run the ball effectively with Jeremiah Love departing each of their last three games due to injury,” he writes. “Conversely the loss of DT Riley Mills compromises an already shaky ND run defense. I feel like Penn State has more explosive playmakers on both sides of the ball and will be able to control the line of scrimmage. I’m backing Penn State and taking the +2 points in what should be a competitive affair.”

A four-person picks crew at The Athletic is split on who will win and cover. Five of six experts at CBS Sports ae backing the Fighting Irish. And, FOX analyst Urban Meyer is, as well.

“If Notre Dame plays like they played [against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl], they win,” he says. “Once again, Vegas is all over this. I’d put it at even [money] for Notre Dame vs. Penn State. I’ve got this as a pick ’em right now. If Notre Dame plays they way they did, they beat Penn State.”

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