James Franklin

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, left, and Penn State head coach James Franklin pose with the trophy during a news conference for the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Dania Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

A trip to the CFP title game is on the line when Notre Dame and Penn State meet in the Orange Bowl

It’s been a long time since either Notre Dame or Penn State reached college football’s mountaintop as national champions. It was 1988 for the Fighting Irish, 1986 for the Nittany Lions.
 
Penn State head coach James Franklin speaks during a news conference for the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Dania Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Penn State coach James Franklin calls for college football to have uniformity

 
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) pulls in a touchdown pass as Boise State safety Ty Benefield (0) defends during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff game, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Penn State faces Notre Dame with trip to the national title game on the line

 
Penn State linebacker Tyler Elsdon (43) warms up against Central Michigan during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

A plot twist from what college football has become: A player who stayed

 
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden surveys the field before an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File)

The long road for Al Golden: He’s back in Miami, trying to bring Notre Dame a CFP title shot

 

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Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (18) reacts after a touchdown against Oregon during the second half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

The College Football Playoff semifinals are set: Texas vs. Ohio State and Notre Dame vs. Penn State

 
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) runs past Clemson defensive end Cade Denhoff (44) in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

SMU to visit Penn State in opening CFP round with Boise State awaiting the winner in the Fiesta Bowl

 
Oregon defensive back Nikko Reed (9) intercepts a pass intended for Penn State wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

No. 1 Oregon outlasts No. 3 Penn State 45-37 for Big Ten title and 1st-round bye in playoffs

 
Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson scores on a 48-yard touchdown reception during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

An Oregon win, a Clemson upset, and ‘now what?’ for Alabama in the College Football Playoff

 
Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Marylnad, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Penn State coach James Franklin looks to fill the empty trophy case in Happy Valley

 
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) looks for an opening during an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

Dillon Gabriel leads No. 1 Oregon against No. 3 Penn State for Big Ten title with both eyeing CFP

 
Georgia wide receiver Dominic Lovett (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Athens, Ga. Georgia won in eight overtime periods. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

College football picks: ‘Let’s play two’ a theme for handful of conference championship games

 
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Championship week: Clemson and UNLV could stir up title-game trouble for teams on the bubble for CFP

 
Purdue head coach Ryan Walters watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

New college football landscape presents new ripples for coaching searches

 
Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) celebrates a sack against Maryland during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

No. 3 Nittany Lions relying on defensive depth in Big Ten title game and postseason run

 
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) hurdles Maryland defensive back Kevis Thomas (25) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

No. 4 Penn State overcomes slow start to beat Maryland 44-7 and advance to Big Ten title game

 
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

No. 4 Nittany Lions hoping to clinch CFP spot in regular-season finale with Maryland

 
Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

No. 3 Penn State still sees a path to the postseason despite another tough loss to Ohio State

 
Penn State head coach James Franklin talks with reporters during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Penn State coach James Franklin questions if radio helmets will solve sign stealing

 
FILE - Penn State head coach James Franklin, center, runs out with his team before an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Nov. 24, 2023, in Detroit. An internal review by Penn State in 2019 found evidence of “friction” between football coach James Franklin and a now-former team doctor. However, it could not determine whether Franklin violated NCAA rules or Big Ten standards by interfering with medical decisions. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Penn State found ‘friction’ between coach James Franklin, team doctor; could not determine violation

 
Mississippi running back Quinshon Judkins (4) runs into Penn State defensive end Jameial Lyons (19) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Penn State defense overwhelmed by Ole Miss tempo and ‘too many moving parts’ in Peach Bowl loss

 
Mississippi running back Quinshon Judkins (4) runs into Penn State defensive end Jameial Lyons (19) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Dart leads No. 11 Ole Miss to 38-25 Peach Bowl rout of No. 10 Penn State’s proud defense

 
FILE - Penn State quarterback Drew Allar passes against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa. Mississippi will play for the first 11-win season in school history when the Rebels of the Southeastern Conference, led by quarterback Jaxson Dart, face Penn State, led by Allar, in the Peach Bowl, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

Peach Bowl boasts playoff-caliber matchup between No. 10 Penn State and No. 11 Ole Miss

 
FILE -Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin watches his players make a play against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin has agreed to a contract extension. Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter announced the agreement Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 but didn't disclose any details.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Penn State’s staff changes have Ole Miss coach Kiffin unsure what to expect in Peach Bowl

 
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart talks to players during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Alabama in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Signing day: Georgia has top class after 5-star flip; Ohio State sigh of relief on No. 1 player

 
FILE - Indiana head coach Tom Allen speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium, Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Indianapolis. Penn State has hired former Indiana coach Tom Allen as defensive coordinator. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin announced the hiring on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, to replace Manny Diaz, who left to take over the Duke program.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Penn State hires ex-Indiana coach Tom Allen as defensive coordinator

 
Indiana head coach Tom Allen studies the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Penn State working to hire former Indiana coach Tom Allen as defensive coordinator, AP sources say

 
Penn State head coach James Franklin shouts to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

AP Top 25 Takeaways: Franklin, Penn State still chasing elite; Big 12 race takes twist; UVA’s upset

 
Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison runs after a catch against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Harrison Jr. the difference as No. 3 Ohio State beats No. 7 Penn State 20-12 in a defensive struggle

 
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws a touchdown pass to tight end Tyler Warren (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

No. 7 Nittany Lions take 11-game win streak to No. 3 Ohio St. Their last win in Columbus was in 2011

 
Penn State defenders Dvon Ellies (91) and Abdul Carter (11) tackle Massachusetts running back Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

College football picks: No. 7 Penn St and No. 3 Ohio St begin Beasts of Big Ten East round-robin

 
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

No. 7 Penn State’s road game against No. 3 Buckeyes is crucial to Franklin’s bid for a breakthrough

 

Fresh off bye week, No. 6 Penn State ready to resume against UMass

 
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Allar tosses TD pass, runs for another score as No. 6 Penn State beats Northwestern 41-13

 
FILE - Deion Sanders speaks after being introduced as the new head football coach at the University of Colorado during a news conference Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. Floyd Keith has waited half a century for a Black coach with Deion Sanders’ swagger and success to shake up college football. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Deion Sanders’ impact at Colorado raises hopes that other Black coaches will get opportunities

 
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