Newsstand: What is the spread for the Notre Dame vs. Penn State Orange Bowl game

In Thursday’s Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Casino in Miami, the Notre Dame football program opened as a 1.5-point favorite against Penn State. ESPN BET and Caesars Sportsbook consider the Fighting Irish a 2-point favorite.

Thursday’s College Football Playoff semifinal game will mark the 20th meeting between Notre Dame and Penn State. Both teams have nine wins in the series and have tied once. The last time they played in 2007, the Nittany Lions won 31-10.

The Irish are 2-2 in Orange Bowl games, having last faced Florida State on Jan. 1, 1996.

Notre Dame has been fantastic against the spread this season, compiling a 12-2 record. The only two times it failed to cover the spread were in an outright loss against Northern Illinois and a 28-3 win over Miami (Ohio). Meanwhile, Penn State’s record against the spread this season is 8-7.

This year’s Orange Bowl game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN will have television coverage.

Notre Dame Posts of the Weekend

Irish sophomore Adon Shuler was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded safety among the eight teams participating in the College Football Playoffs quarterfinal.

Highest Graded Safety from the CFP Quarterfinals:

Adon Shuler, Notre Dame: 82.8@NDFootball pic.twitter.com/rfeo6MznNG

— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 5, 2025

Irish graduate student kicker Mitch Jeter successfully converted on all three field goal attempts against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

3⃣ for 3⃣

Mr. January #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/ZgSradkXmj

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 5, 2025

Irish 2025 class quarterback signee Blake Hebert practiced with the program Sunday.

The media saw incoming Notre Dame freshman quarterback Blake Hebert in full pads for the first time today. Imposing kid. Doesn’t look like someone who should still be in high school.

That’s Hebert on the left. Current freshman QB CJ Carr on the right. https://t.co/d0vGCN0LFs pic.twitter.com/VQhhuExzZI

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 5, 2025

Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend

“I don’t know when they announced it, I can’t remember, but about a week or two ago, they announced another long contract here at Notre Dame. So, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”

— Irish coach Marcus Freeman to ESPN’s Hannah Storm during a SportsCenter interview Saturday about being a possible NFL head coaching candidate.