Then, in the quarterfinal against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Notre Dame allowed an early field goal and never trailed again while rag-dolling the SEC champions en route to a 23-10

Since Notre Dame's season finale win in Los Angeles against USC on November 30, star running back Jeremiyah Love hasn't been quite right. He still dazzled with a 98-yard touchdown run in the first round of the College Football Playoff game against Indiana, while also battling a cold, but it was clear to see he was still not feeling quite right.

While Notre Dame’s win against Georgia was the first win in a big bowl game in more than 30 years, Penn State is still searching for that level of win under James Franklin. The Nittany Lions had the so-called easy path to the semifinals and took advantage with a dominant win against SMU and a comfortable win against Boise State.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman expects running back Jeremiyah Love to play in Thursday's College Football Playoff semifinal game and the Fighting Irish ground game to be at full strength against sixth-seeded Penn State.

Jimmie Kaylor revealed his College Football Playoff semifinal picks for Penn State vs. Notre Dame in the 2025 Orange Bowl on Thursday

While Notre Dame football star running back Jeremiyah Love deemed himself healthy enough to play against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff, it might not actually be the case.

The Fighting Irish running back had previously deemed himself healthy enough to play against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the CFP semifinals - but that might not quite be the case

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to start Thursday in the Orange Bowl against sixth-seeded Penn State, enabling the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish and their trademark ground game to operate at — or near — full capacity in the first College Football Playoff semifinal.