The playoff semifinal Thursday night against the Nittany Lions (13-2) will mark the deepest into January that Notre Dame has ever played; one more win would extend the Irish's longest season to 16 games. Coach Marcus Freeman responded by reducing the amount of contact at practice to keep players fresh, good training for the NFL's 17-game schedule.

Notre Dame star RB Jeremiyah Love "will be good to go" against Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

The first College Football Playoff semifinal will feature Penn State and Notre Dame. A breakdown of the keys to victory in the Orange Bowl.

The officials for Penn State’s Orange Bowl matchup with Notre Dame have been assigned. Big 12 conference officials will work Thursday night’s college playoff semifinal game, per the website footballzebras.

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are one day away from taking on Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl. The Fighting Irish have been concerned with the status of star running back Jeremiyah Love after Love was banged up in last Thursday's Sugar Bowl win over Georgia.

One of the College Football Playoff semifinals match up is set as Penn State takes on Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. We break down four ways the Nittany Lions can defeat Notre Dame to make it to the National Championship game on January 20.