Orange Bowl 2026: Penn State and Notre Dame Face Off In Classic Rivalry, With a Spot In The National Championship Game At Stake

January 8, 2026

This article was last updated by Sangita Budhathoki on January 8, 2026

Penn State and Notre Dame are set to face off in a classic rivalry game, renewing their historic competition in the Orange Bowl, with both teams vying for a spot in the national championship.

The 2026 Orange Bowl is set to be an exciting matchup between Penn State and Notre Dame.

This game will be played on Thursday, January 9, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.ET.

It’s part of the College Football Playoff semifinals, and the winner will advance to the national championship game in Atlanta on January 20, 2026.

Since Their Last Meeting in 2007, the Upcoming Game Between Penn State and Notre Dame Is Highly Anticipated!

Penn State and Notre Dame have a storied football rivalry that dates back to 1913. They have faced each other 19 times.

The last time , with Penn State winning 31-10.

They have a long history, with the all-time record tied at 9-9-1 before their upcoming match.

Likewise, both teams have had impressive seasons leading up to the 2026 Orange Bowl.

Penn State boasts a 13-2 record after defeating SMU in the first round with a score of 38-10 and then , winning 31-14 with outstanding performances by Drew Allar.

Against SMU, Drew completed 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards. In the Fiesta Bowl against Boise State, he threw for three touchdowns, including two to tight end Tyler Warren, and helped lead Penn State to a 31-14 victory.

His ability to manage the game and make key throws under pressure was crucial to Penn State’s success.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame achieved a 13-1 record by knocking off Indiana in the first round and then defeating Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the semi-finals.

Quarterback Riley Leonard played a crucial role in Notre Dame’s success who contributed to passing and rushing.

He was a key player in the game, throwing for 88 yards and a touchdown while also running for 65 yards.

Regarding the upcoming game, both teams rank highly in scoring defense, it’s going to be a strong battle. This will be the 20th meeting between these two teams, breaking the tie in their all-time record.

While Notre Dame is currently favored by 2.5 points, it’s expected to be a closely contested battle.

Stay tuned to see which team will win and secure their spot in the national championship game.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• The current head coach of Penn State is James Franklin. He has been with the team since 2014, leading them to several successful seasons.
• For Notre Dame, the head coach is Marcus Freeman. He took over the role in 2026.
• Freeman, who played college football at Ohio State, had a victorious career as an NFL linebacker.

• Check other Articles on

Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.

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