The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish suffered upset losses that set the tone as they embarked on the sort of comeback that might not have been possible in years past.

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,

In this CFP, the Irish are winning over some people. Or maybe they're just benefitting from the distaste many feel for their opponents.

For years, college football fans have been begging for Notre Dame to join one of the established power conference in the sport. Many believed the creation

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.

Per Front Office Sports, Notre Dame will earn $20 million for making the national title after defeating Penn State 27-24 in the College Football Playoff semifinal 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.