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.

In an era that is now long gone, a trip to the Orange Bowl meant a break from the rough weather up north and the capper to a successful season that, if things had gone great, ended with a championship trophy in the case.