NCAAF · 8 months ago

Notre Dame vs Penn State Orange Bowl 5 Anytime Touchdown Picks | CFP Semifinals Best Bets

Grant White

Host · Writer

Penn State Defense +750
It's been infrequent, but Penn State's defense has contributed to the team's scoring. They had an interception returned for a touchdown in the first round of the playoffs, and they could add to that total at Hard Rock Stadium.

Penn State has one of the premier defenses in the country. They rank in the top six in scoring and total defense, often forcing their opponents into untimely turnovers. The SMU Mustangs paid the price for it in Round 1, and the Fighting Irish could become the latest victim.

The Nittany Lions have playmakers in every level of their defense. Whether recovering a fumble or intercepting an interception, a Penn State defender could be an x-factor in helping the Nittany Lions return to the National Championship.

CFP Previews: Semifinals Parlay | Final 4 Power Rankings
Mitchell Evans - Notre Dame Tight End +370
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a plethora of scoring options in their passing offense. But no one presents more value than Mitchell Evans in the Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame's tight end has been a feature player in its aerial attack. The senior ranks second on the team in targets and receptions, parlaying his high-volume metrics for three touchdowns this season. Objectively, that's not a lot of scores, but it does tie Evans for the team lead.

Still, Evans's value in the Anytime Touchdown market also correlates with the Penn State Nittany Lions' inability to defend tight ends. Opposing tight ends have scored in each of the first two playoff games, a trend that should continue in the semifinals.

Spread: Notre Dame -2.5 | Moneyline: Notre Dame -137 | Total: 49.5
Kaytron Allen - Penn State Running Back +105
The betting market is moving away from Penn State's running backs. However, we have complete confidence in Kaytron Allen's ability to cross the plane in Miami.

Allen has been one of Penn State's most reliable scorers this season. The junior running back has accounted for eight scores this season, reserving his best efforts for the latter part of the campaign. Over the past three games, Allen has tallied 331 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Running against the Irish is no easy feat. However, Allen's late-season surge makes him an ideal candidate to buck that trend. At +105, there's value in backing him to find paydirt in the Orange Bowl.

CFP Matchup Pages: Notre Dame vs. Penn State | Ohio State vs. Texas
Nicholas Singleton - Penn State Running Back +115
If not Allen, then bettors should set their sights on Nicholas Singleton. The second prong of the Nittany Lions' rushing attack has been on a similar upward trajectory and comes at a slightly more appealing price.

The Pennsylvania native has a more equitable workload in the playoffs. Singleton has 26 rushing attempts over the last couple of games, accumulating 177 rushing yards and a touchdown in each game.

Like Allen, Singleton's ceiling appears diminished against Notre Dame's vaunted defense. Nevertheless, his increased workload and efficiency in the postseason make him an ideal plus-money candidate to score.

CFP Player Props: Notre Dame | Penn State | Most Bet Props
Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame Running Back -110
Like Penn State, Notre Dame has multiple rushers deployed out of their backfield. Dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard has been a regular in the ground game, as has Jadarian Price. Still, Jeremiyah Love is the bell cow for the Fighting Irish, and he's priced as one of the favorites to score in the Orange Bowl.

Up until the Sugar Bowl, Love had scored in every game this season. Most impressively, the sophomore has reached 16 touchdowns this season while sharing the carrying duties with two other players. And that's without considering Love's two additional scores via the passing attack.

Love has been an incredibly reliable contributor this year. Assuredly, his best work comes on the ground, but we've also seen him chip in via the passing game. One way or another, we like Love's chances of adding to his scoring haul against Penn State.

Orange Bowl: Best Bets | SGP
Penn State Defense +750
It's been infrequent, but Penn State's defense has contributed to the team's scoring. They had an interception returned for a touchdown in the first round of the playoffs, and they could add to that total at Hard Rock Stadium.

Penn State has one of the premier defenses in the country. They rank in the top six in scoring and total defense, often forcing their opponents into untimely turnovers. The SMU Mustangs paid the price for it in Round 1, and the Fighting Irish could become the latest victim.

The Nittany Lions have playmakers in every level of their defense. Whether recovering a fumble or intercepting an interception, a Penn State defender could be an x-factor in helping the Nittany Lions return to the National Championship.

CFP Previews: Semifinals Parlay | Final 4 Power Rankings
Mitchell Evans - Notre Dame Tight End +370
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a plethora of scoring options in their passing offense. But no one presents more value than Mitchell Evans in the Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame's tight end has been a feature player in its aerial attack. The senior ranks second on the team in targets and receptions, parlaying his high-volume metrics for three touchdowns this season. Objectively, that's not a lot of scores, but it does tie Evans for the team lead.

Still, Evans's value in the Anytime Touchdown market also correlates with the Penn State Nittany Lions' inability to defend tight ends. Opposing tight ends have scored in each of the first two playoff games, a trend that should continue in the semifinals.

Spread: Notre Dame -2.5 | Moneyline: Notre Dame -137 | Total: 49.5