Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) celebrates a touchdown against Tennessee during an NCAA college football game in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. (Brianna Paciorka/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, Pool)
AP Top 25: Notre Dame over A&M in final regular-season poll

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 20, 2020 11:04 AM EST

Ohio State running back Trey Sermon (8) runs for the end zone to score past Northwestern defensive back Cameron Mitchell (21) during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame's blowout loss brings A&M into playoff picture

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 19, 2020 08:22 PM EST

Alabama head coach Nick Saban watches his team warm up before the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game between Florida and Alabama, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama at Florida 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 08:07 PM EST

Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry celebrates after sacking Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP)
Lawrence, No. 4 Clemson rout No. 2 Notre Dame for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 19, 2020 07:40 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 6, 2014, file photo, a vendor sells a program outside the Rose Bowl before the BCS National Championship NCAA college football game between Auburn and Florida State in Pasadena, Calif. The Rose Bowl was denied a special exemption from the state of California to allow a few hundred fans to attend the College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1, putting the game staying in Pasadena in serious doubt. A person involved with organizing the game told The Associated Press the Tournament of Roses' request was denied earlier this week. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)
CFP semifinal moved from Rose Bowl to AT&T Stadium in Texas

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 19, 2020 06:07 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) is pressured by Clemson defensive end K.J. Henry (5) during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
Clemson at Notre Dame 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 04:37 PM EST

Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) throws over Ohio State defensive tackle Taron Vincent (6) during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
No. 3 Ohio St. runs past No. 15 Wildcats for Big Ten crown

By Michael Marot Dec. 19, 2020 03:50 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) fends off Clemson Tigers safety Nolan Turner (24) on his way to a touchdown during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
With Lawrence back Clemson-Notre Dame meet for ACC title

By Steve Reed Dec. 18, 2020 02:39 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney signals to his players during the second quarter against Notre Dame in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Kelly, Swinney express concern about no families at playoffs

By Steve Reed Dec. 18, 2020 01:59 PM EST

Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) looks to pass against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Week 16: Playoff bids likely on line for Clemson, Ohio State

By Eric Olson Dec. 18, 2020 02:39 AM EST

FILE - Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence watches players warm up for an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., in this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat the Clemson Tigers in a thrilling 47-40 shootout earlier this season. The big question now is if they can do it again against likely No. 1 overall 2021 NFL draft pick Trevor Lawrence in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Notre Dame looks for 1st ACC title ever vs. favored Clemson

The Associated Press Dec. 17, 2020 03:31 PM EST

FILE - Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 file photo, Georgia Tech defensive lineman Sylvain Yondjouen of Belgium (32) poses with linebacker Demetrius Knight II (17) and running back Jamious Griffin (22) after an NCAA college football game against Miami, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Football in Europe usually means "soccer." But increasingly European kids are excelling at American football. So much so that Europe has become a pipeline of recruits for college football programs — and increasingly for schools from the Power Five conferences. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, file)
Europe the 'next frontier' in US college football recruiting

By Ken Maguire Dec. 17, 2020 12:42 PM EST

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) runs the ball against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
College Football Picks: What happens if upset bug bites?

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 16, 2020 03:46 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book (12) is greeted by coach Brian Kelly after coming out of the game during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
ACC Showdown: ND's Book, Clemson's Lawrence on center stage

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 16, 2020 12:48 PM EST

Alabama punt returner DeVonta Smith (6) returns a punt for a touchdown against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
'Bama, ND, Clemson, OSU enter champ weekend in CFP position

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 15, 2020 07:27 PM EST

Syracuse running back Sean Tucker (34) is tackled by Notre Dame linebacker Drew White (40) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in South Bend, Ind. (Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson next for soon to be Lea-less Fighting Irish defense

By John Fineran Dec. 15, 2020 03:20 PM EST

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney watches during the third quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Blacksburg, Va. (Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times via AP, Pool)
Notre Dame, Clemson full strength heading into ACC title

By Pete Iacobelli Dec. 14, 2020 03:30 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea steps off the team bus before an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. Vanderbilt is negotiating a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea to make the former Commodores football player its new head coach. Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press details of a contract were still being worked out but Lea was the school's top choice.(Matt Cashore/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Syracuse at Notre Dame 12/5/2020

Dec. 14, 2020 12:41 PM EST

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea hugs Notre Dame's Michael Vinson (65) before an NCAA college football game against Louisville, in Louisville, Ky., in this Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, file photo. Vanderbilt is negotiating a deal with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea to make the former Commodores player its new head coach. Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press details of a contract were still being worked out but Lea was the school's top choice. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Notre Dame DC Clark Lea hired as Vanderbilt head coach

By Teresa M. Walker Dec. 14, 2020 12:16 PM EST

Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9) and quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) wave after the team's win over Pittsburgh in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken Ruinard/The Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Deja vu: A Notre Dame-Clemson rematch with title stakes

By John Fineran Dec. 13, 2020 03:08 PM EST