Notre Dame is 13-1 overall and coming off back-to-back wins in the CFP. The Fighting Irish had an affirming 27-17 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in the first round. Notre Dame foll

The Fighting Irish (13-1) and the Nittany Lions (13-2) will square off Thursday in Miami, proud programs in pursuit of their first national championship since the 1980s.

The Irish finally expelled the major bowl shadow that had followed them since 1993. They did it playing the way they wanted, which is the way plenty said that Notre Dame couldn't win with.