Under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame has lost at home against the likes of Marshall, Northern Illinois and Stanford. He's only been a head coach for three years and, largely due to Notre Dame's status as an independent,

The Fighting Irish made a last-second field goal to defeat the Nittany Lions 27-24. It is their 13th consecutive win dating to an inexplicable Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois (and former Wisconsin assistant Thomas Hammock). The win sends them to the playoff title game to face the winner of Ohio State- Texas.

The question of Notre Dame's independence — meaning the Fighting Irish aren't attached to a conference  — was brought into the foreground ahead of the Orange Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal matchup between Marcus Freeman's team and James Franklin's Penn State Nittany Lions.