Game Overview
- The game is the 20th meeting between the two teams, who are 9-9-1 all-time against each other.
- It’s only the second time they’ve met in a bowl game, with the last instance coming in 1976.
Team Statistics and Trends
- Penn State has never won 13 games in a season until now, and their victories represent more of a trend than a blip since 2016.
- The team’s defense has limited opponents’ scoring inside the red zone at the fourth-best rate in the nation.
- Notre Dame’s defense ranks first in limiting opponents’ scoring inside the red zone.
Injuries and Player Updates
- Penn State’s All-American defensive end Abdul Carter is anticipated to play against Notre Dame despite suffering an arm injury in the Fiesta Bowl victory last week.
Coaching Milestones
- With Marcus Freeman and James Franklin meeting tonight, a Black head coach will have the opportunity to win a national championship for the first time.
- Freeman has won two coach of the year awards, including the Dodd Trophy and the Munger Award.
Game Predictions and Analysis
- The game could be won by which team is able to score once it drives inside the 20-yard line, given both teams’ defenses excelling at limiting opponents’ scoring in the red zone.
- Penn State coach James Franklin has questioned the wisdom of extending the college football season longer than ever.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the upcoming game, including team statistics, player updates, coaching milestones, and analysis of the game’s potential outcome.