Notre Dame likes its independence in football, especially as its on the cusp of playing for the national title.

This Big Ten vs. independent matchup means this is the second straight year that the Southeastern Conference will be shut out of the final.

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

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.

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

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.