The first CFP semi-final is Thursday January 9th at 730pm on ESPN.  It also is the Orange Bowl being played in Miami Gardens, Florida.  Notre Dame is a 1.5 point favorite. 

Who wins?

I said before the last games that whoever won the Notre Dame/Georgia and OSU/Oregon games would end up in the title game. No reason for me to change from that now. 
 

Notre Dame 24

Penn State 17

Can they both lose???

My wife loved the ND QB interview after the game and is all in for Notre Dame now.

So go Irish, I guess.

27-24 ND

Notre Dame 24-17.

Go Irish as we Catholics say. No way they lose to James Franklin. If the Irish stop #44 for Penn St theyll win comfortably. Notre Dames deeense is legit, has been all year. If for some reason it turns into a shoot out then they’ll be in trouble.

I think I like Notre Dame in this game but I picked Penn State in the contest because I had to, to stay alive. 

I think this will be the better of the 2 semis. I'm taking Penn St. simply because I can't stand ND. I do think if #11 is not of defense for PSU, then ND will win, but I think if he plays, he maybe a difference maker. 

Clear between now and Thursday so the field should be excellent and gametime temps around 60 at kickoff. Should be a perfect night for football. 

Notre Dame's Defense if LEGIT and Penn Sts offense is not an explosive one. IF it goes to a shootout then Penn St has the edge. I'm taking ND.

A look at roster composition. 

ND starting rb might be limited. I love this Penn State defense and Tyler Warren is one of the best athletes at TE! Go State!

56 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

ND starting rb might be limited. I love this Penn State defense and Tyler Warren is one of the best athletes at TE! Go State!

I'm actually with you on this one because I will probably win $300 in a work bowl pool if Penn State can get to the finals.

This may end up being the best football game of the whole playoff, championship game included.

My son-in-law, a huge ND fan, and grandson have seats in the club section. They are sitting with parents of a ND player. For the life of me, I cannot remember the player's name, but he and my grandson became friends when my grandson participated in the ND summer camp, summer before last. The player and his parents have stayed in touch with my daughter's family since. 

Father and son have gone to at least 2 games in South Bend every year since my grandson was 7 or 8. My grandson takes off to college next fall so this may be the last time they get to do something like this together. 

Just read that Notre Dame is dealing with a flu outbreak. That's not good.