Notre Dame and Penn State are set to face off in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night, with the winner earning a coveted berth in the College Football Playoff (CFP) title game. This matchup not only marks a significant historic clash between the two storied programs but also presents opportunities for both head coaches to make history as the first Black coach to win a national championship at this level.

With a record of 13-1, the Fighting Irish face the Nittany Lions who come in at 13-2. The two teams have a storied rivalry, tied at 9-9-1 through their previous meetings, with their last encounter dating back to 2007, where Penn State emerged victorious.

The game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, where more than 65,000 fans are expected to attend. Both teams have shown formidable performance leading up to this point, including Notre Dame's impressive win against Georgia in the CFP quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl and Penn State's success over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Penn State coach James Franklin emphasized the importance of being solid in all three game phases, stating: “Obviously, you don’t get to this point in the season without being good in all three phases.” Meanwhile, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman highlighted the readiness of his team after a normal game preparation week, despite the previous day's travel challenges.

Key players to watch include Notre Dame's quarterback Riley Leonard, who will need to elevate his game against Penn State's strong defense, which ranks sixth nationally. Conversely, Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter, known for his game-changing ability, will be a player to watch if he is cleared to play following an injury.

The relevance of past defeats has diminished for both teams as they focus on this critical opportunity. Notably, the Irish's lone loss came in Week 2, which had no bearing on their playoff aspirations in the newly expanded 12-team format.

This Orange Bowl contest is not just another game; it embodies the legacy of these historic programs and the transformative wave in college football. As Freeman noted, this moment transcends individual accolades, attributing the opportunity to a collective effort and the importance of setting a precedent for future minority coaches in the sport.

As anticipation builds for this pivotal competition, both teams aim to take the next step towards a national title, proving their resilience and strength on one of college football’s grandest stages.

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