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,

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

Notre Dame knocked off Penn State with a late field goal in the Orange Bowl to reach the College Football Playoff championship game.