The Buckeyes’ defense will be tested by the high-flying Longhorns, who are 13-2 and rank 21st in scoring. Texas lost to Georgia twice this year but bounced back to beat Clemson in the first round and Arizona State in the Peach Bowl, approaching 40 points in both victories.

The Story: When the Irish lost 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7, Notre Dame’s odds of winning the national title ballooned to 100-1. Twelve wins later, including two by double digits in the playoffs, and they are listed at 7-1.

Notre Dame will be without a tight end as it sits two wins away from its first national championship in 36 years.

The first round of the College Football Playoff was a disappointment, but no adjustments should have been made to the 12 teams selected. Here is why.

The Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions face off in the Orange Bowl with a national championship berth on the line.

The CFP semifinals kick off Thursday with two 1980s rivals, Notre Dame and Penn State, playing a game that almost couldn't possibly be closer on paper, and then the hottest team in all the land (Ohio State) facing Texas and its clutch former Buckeyes quarterback ( Quinn Ewers) on Friday.