Penn State was unable to corral Oregon’s offense in the Big Ten Championship though, allowing 496 total yards while dropping a 45-37 decision to the then undefeated Ducks. The Nittany Lions eviscerated SMU in the first round of the CFP Playoff,

A trip to the College Football Playoff National Championship will be on the line when (7) Notre Dame faces (6) Penn State in the Orange Bowl semifinal game on Thursday. It also will mark the 19th meeting between the programs with the all-time series deadlocked at 9-9-1.

Jeremiyah Love leads the Irish with 1,076 yards, 16 TDs and a 7.3 per-carry average. Bothered by a knee injury, he left midway through the Sugar Bowl and did not return. His status for the Orange Bowl was uncertain.