As Notre Dame eyes a national championship, Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua makes a bold statement about the program’s commitment to independence.

It was some combination of religion, a grudge involving Knute Rockne and a rival, and maybe the simple time-honored notion that some people just don’t like Notre Dame.

Two more blue blood programs are on the same field today as a historic college football postseason schedule kicks off the first of two semifinal games. Notre Da

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are headed to the National Championship. Notre Dame defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 27-24 on a last-second field goal at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, securing their place in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

While the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are celebrating their Orange Bowl victory this week, the rest of the college football world is debating if they should be in a conference. Before the Orange Bowl even kicked off on Thursday night,

Once college football's perennial villain, Notre Dame has captured the hearts of fans nationwide. From their independent status to their Orange Bowl heroics, here's how the Fighting Irish became the unthinkable-likable.