DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Once a much-anticipated journey to the Orange Bowl symbolized a reprieve from harsh northern winters and crowned a triumphant season, often capped with a championship trophy. However, in the current landscape of college football, this year’s match between Penn State (13-2) and Notre Dame (13-1) reflects the modern “One and Done” playoff era.
Both renowned institutions made their way to South Florida on Tuesday to gear up for the Orange Bowl, which coincidentally serves as a College Football Playoff semifinal. The outcome of Thursday’s clash will determine who advances to Atlanta to vie for the national title on January 20. This playoff season also features another semifinal bout between Ohio State and Texas, scheduled for Friday at the Cotton Bowl.
“When you reach this stage in the season, if you lose, you’re out,” remarked Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins about the possibility of extending their season to 17 games. “It’s crucial to understand the approach needed for these games.”
The notion of “lose and you’re out” is a rarity in postseason play, uniquely associated with college football. Traditionally, the sport was anchored in bowl games like the Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls, but this season marks the introduction of a revamped 12-team playoff format.
Another notable aspect of this Orange Bowl is that either team has the chance to claim the national championship without adhering to the once-strict requirement of securing a conference title. Traditionally, the premier games were predominantly reserved for conference champions, alongside select runners-up and the independent Notre Dame, which doesn’t belong to any conference.
This adjustment led to a seven-day turnaround for Notre Dame. While such a timeframe is typical during the regular season, it feels tighter this week given the additional day away from campus that a bowl game entails, not to mention the game’s significance.
One of the primary tactical hurdles facing Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, a former Miami coach, is formulating a defensive strategy to contain Penn State’s formidable 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end Tyler Warren, who excels both in receiving and running plays.
Conversely, Penn State confronts a Notre Dame squad that has demonstrated unpredictability. Irish quarterback Riley Leonard showcased his diverse skill set with nearly equal rushing (80 yards) and passing (90 yards) stats in last week’s 23-10 victory over Georgia. Notably, his acrobatic flip over a defender late in the game underscored his commitment to securing a win.
Leonard’s aggressive plays were highlighted soon after the Notre Dame punt team hastily exited the field on a critical fourth-and-short situation, swiftly replaced by the offense. This tactical move caught the Bulldogs off guard, enabling a game-controlling drive to continue.
Receiver Jordan Faison emphasized that coaches are not hesitant to introduce innovative strategies throughout the season, stating, “It reflects the mental duel that consistently unfolds in this game.”
