And then there were four of them.
For the next two days Notre Dame fighting the Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeye AND Texas Longhorns they will try to complete their task to earn a bid to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The semifinal round begins Thursday when Notre Dame will face Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Both teams have their first two playoff wins this season and will face the winner of Texas-Ohio State.
The duel is also historic.
With Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman going head-to-head with Penn State’s James Franklin, a Black head coach is assured of competing for an FBS national championship for the first time in history. Penn State is the only semifinalist to play in its first College Football Playoff.
Here are the sights and sounds of the semifinal round of the College Football Playoffs.
Topics for tonight
The game is ready ⚪️🔵#We are | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/bSLb1nlQ3U
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025
I’m lucky 🍀#GoIrish | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/TFGQKaiV9T
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025
Landmarks on the side of Notre Dame
Scenes from Miami 🍊#GoIrish | @NDFootball pic.twitter.com/p1m7xp1E5d
— Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) January 9, 2025
Spirit branches appear in Florida
The Fighting Irish attack Lincoln Road🌴📣
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Come to the Capital One Orange Bowl, stay in Miami Beach. Make the most of your college getaway and download the new EXP Miami Beach Tours app for a first-hand, interactive look at Miami Beach’s iconic art and architecture… pic.twitter.com/PSMHrQunTs— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025
Bringing the spirit of State College to Miami Beach
Looking for a confidential guide to Miami Beach before and after the game? Go to @EMiamiBeach to explore our collection of Miami Beach itineraries and download the EXP Miami Beach Tours app to start planning your trip now! pic.twitter.com/3K29qxBKlD
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025
Fun at the Orange Bowl
📍954 @visitlauderdale | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/Sj6a8RKzoK
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 8, 2025
South Florida hospitality at its best!🌴@visitlauderdale | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/UmVMCmHpj0
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 8, 2025
Work hard, have fun @downtownMIA | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/AG7a7zLe0U
— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 8, 2025
Orange Bowl official 🍊☘️#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/UkPoTN0zpv
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 8, 2025
The stage is ready
Semi-final stage.#We are X #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/bm5p83zRwf
— Penn State football (@PennStateFball) January 9, 2025
