There are no doubts left about Notre Dame's authenticity. Thanks to an inexplicable early season loss to Northern Illinois, and the fact that their independent status precludes them from competing for a conference title,

Notre Dame and Penn State playing in a college football game with national title implications? What decade is it? Neither classic power won a game in the four-team era of the College Football Playoff,

Notre Dame is just one victory away from playing for a national championship, but that victory won't come easily. Awaiting the Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl is an extremely talented Penn State football team that will present a massive test.