It was some combination of religion, a grudge involving Knute Rockne and maybe the simple notion that some people just don't like Notre Dame. Back in the 1920s, the Fighting Irish made what might have been their biggest push to join what would become the Big Ten but the athletic director at Michigan blocked it.

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,

SportsbookWire.com's Alex White is zoned in on Thursday's College Football Playoff semifinal when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-1) face the Penn State Nittany Lions (13-2) in the Orange Bowl. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.