Penn State made the College Football Playoff this year for the first time since the format began in 2014. The Nittany Lions will face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night,

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,

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.