Notre Dame is going to the Orange Bowl for the college football playoff semifinals after their 23-10 victory over Georgia and the euphoria in South Bend couldn't be any larger. However, the job is not done as they still have to take on a very tough Penn State side in the semifinals. The Nittany Lions are a team unlike anything the Irish have faced this year, but then again so was Indiana and Georgia. This should be a titanic clash.
Neutralize Tyler Warren
While technically a tight end, Warren can lineup in so many different positions that he practically doesn't have a full time one. Warren is so versatile, but hands down the most dangerous player for Penn State. Notre Dame will have to keep their eyes on him as where Warren goes, so does Penn State. If the Irish can keep him at bay, then they have a good chance at winning the game.
Exploiting Drew Allar
While Allar has been the talk in college football, there is one problem: he's not a very good passer. Sure he is better than Riley Leonard with his arm, but he throws roughly six yards per attempt. That's not very good. He essentially leans on Warren and the running game, plus gets bailed out a decent amount by his receivers. If Notre Dame can force him to pass a lot, then it should go over well for them.
Riley Leonard Needs To Step Up...With His Arm
Leonard hasn't exactly been the best passer this year, but he really needs to get it going considering Penn State's defense, which is a very good one and probably the best defense they've played all season since ironically Northern Illinois, considering the Lions will be attacking the running game. If Leonard can find options like Beaux Collins and Jordan Faison down the field, then the Irish should be okay there.
Stop Penn State's Running Game
The Lions have some pretty good running backs of their own in Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton as both rushed for over 1,000 yards. The problem with trying to stop this tandem is that it opens things up with Warren, which already mentioned is a huge problem for Notre Dame if he gets going. So the defense probably will have to minimize as much damage from both these backs and concede trying to make them a non factor especially what Warren brings. However, if Warren is unproductive (which is highly unlikely), then doing everything the defense can to stop the two of them is a must.
Let The Defense Keep Cooking
Losing Rylie Mills seems to not be as bad as thought especially with RJ Oben stepping up with a strip sack. So the depth continues to show and the rotational system seems to be doing wonders. If the defense can keep doing what they are doing, then it will be hard to see the Irish losing this game. Maybe there will be another unsung hero from their depth that steps up in this contest.
The Running Game Has To Step Up
While Leonard and Jadarian Price were able to step up while Jeremiyah Love was dealing with his injury, this is the part of the offense that has to get going in this game. Penn State is great at stopping the run and it will be hard for Notre Dame find a groove. That being said, there has to be something in the game plan for the Irish to find ways to get some yards to move the chains. Got a little lucky that it didn't hurt the team against Georgia, but this is probably the part of the game that will ultimately decide it. That being said, Penn State hasn't seen a running game quite like Notre Dame's, so maybe this won't be too much to worry on.
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