Notre Dame vs. Penn State: Social Media Pregame Buzz Builds Ahead of Showdown

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Tonight's the night for Notre Dame football as the Fighting Irish are just hours away from battling Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
The loser goes home while the winner gets a January 20 date in college football's national championship game.
As you would guess, the pregame buzz is off the charts as Notre Dame looks to pick up another massive program win one week after knocking off Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Some of the best pregame social media posts to X can be found below.
Notre Dame's Epic Orange Bowl Hype Video
Miami, this is where we hustle ☘️ #GoIrish | Game 15 pic.twitter.com/clWFgZ7xYu
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 8, 2025
It's Orange Bowl Gameday in Miami
𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐲
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 9, 2025
Orange Bowl
🆚 6️⃣ Penn State
📍 Miami Gardens, Florida
📅 Thursday, Jan. 9
🕢 7:30PM ET
📺 ESPN
📻 https://t.co/dFv5CBEAdI#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/tOco82JiLc
Notre Dame Football Takes on the Flu
Been told the flu is going around the Notre Dame locker room. Those who have it have it bad, but it sounds like that’s mostly backups and special teams players. Still something to monitor for the Fighting Irish going into the Orange Bowl vs. Penn State tonight.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 9, 2025
Notre Dame Legend Manti Te'o's Recent Message from Marcus Freeman
I love Manti Te’o.
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) January 9, 2025
And I love Notre Dame football ☘️
“We got some business to take care of tonight.” pic.twitter.com/goWOCNvaqa
Notre Dame Football = America's Team
.@BetOnline_ag is calling #NotreDame "America's Team" based on X/Twitter hashtag data from last Thursday night. @insideNDsports pic.twitter.com/4HE2UgA275
— Tyler James (@TJamesND) January 7, 2025
Notre Dame Radio Voice Tony Simeone
Miami is buzzing. The fan bases are hungry.
— Tony Simeone (@TonySimeonePxP) January 9, 2025
This is going to be electric.
Notre Dame Bringing Out Some Foolish Takes
#NotreDame being good is breaking people’s brains coast to coast. People just can’t handle it. The further ND goes the more absurd some of the takes are getting. It’s great to see☘️
— Always Irish ☘️ (@AlwaysIrishINC) January 9, 2025
Orange Bowl - Rise and Shine!
RISE AND SHINE, IT’S GAMEDAY! 🤩#CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/wMccO3qh3C
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025
Fan-Made, Notre Dame Hype Video
Not the same Notre Dame ☘️#GoIrish
— Tommy Marlow (@TommyMarlowVis) January 8, 2025
All footage from @NDFootball / @NBCSports pic.twitter.com/1dXPjUJT4n
Notre Dame vs. Penn State in...Rugrats?
Never forget that Penn State/Notre Dame was referenced on an episode of Rugrats. pic.twitter.com/HW7eMkhgyN
— Jake Myers (@CFBJake) January 3, 2025
Penn State and Notre Dame, Independence Reminder
Only reason Penn State isn’t in a conference ANYMORE is because they’re not relevant enough to stand on their own.
— Notre Dame Recruiting (@NDrecruiting01) January 8, 2025
Just fyi, James Franklin. https://t.co/KiNXaI2Xqf
Penn State Football Fans Getting Hyped
DOMINATE THE OPPORTUNITY!
— Górski Lion (@gorski_lion) January 9, 2025
DOMINATE THE MOMENT!
THIS IS OUR TIME!!!
WE. ARE. PENN. STATE!!!!!#Weare pic.twitter.com/Ag5P4pyPu1
More from Notre Dame on Sports Illustrated
Orange Bowl: Point spread moves 48 hours before kickoff between Notre Dame and Penn State
Penn State Star Defender's Unknown Status for Orange Bowl vs. Notre Dame
ESPN Computer Model Projects Orange Bowl Winner for Notre Dame vs. Penn State Showdown
Notre Dame loses tight end for year in defeat of Georgia

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.