The semifinals of the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff begin Thursday with a blockbuster Orange Bowl matchup between (6) Penn State and (7) Notre Dame. Both teams have leaned heavily on their defenses and run games to reach the doorstep of the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Orange Bowl coaches James Franklin of Penn State and Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame discuss key injuries to Jeremiyah Love and Abdul Carter ahead of the game.

It’s been a long time since either Notre Dame or Penn State reached college football’s mountaintop as national champions.

For the first time in 17 years, Notre Dame and Penn State are set to face off on a football field. This time, there's a lot on the line, as the 7-seed Fighting Irish will play the 6-seed Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl,

Notre Dame’s path to defeating Penn State in their CFP clash relies on 5 critical factors. Here’s what the Irish must do to win.

Penn State coach James Franklin and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman sat side-by-side Wednesday morning well aware of the significant moment that awaits them. It goes far beyond football.

Penn State's head coach explains his plan for improving college football. It includes Notre Dame finally joining a conference.

ESPN will devote multiple channels to coverage of the Orange Bowl between the Nittany Lions and the Fighting Irish.

Penn State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas are all that remain of the 134 FBS teams who began the year with playoff dreams. One of them will be crowned national champion on January 20.