Notre Dame offensive tackle Anthonie Knapp will miss the College Football Playoff National Championship with a high ankle sprain he sustained in the Orange Bowl semifinal win over Penn State. Right guard Rocco Spindler is expected to play, but will have to recover during the week.

The 12-team College Football Playoff has been fun to watch. It was fun listening to people try to work themselves into a lather over the teams that finished 13th and 14th. There have been a few blowouts, but also a few classic games that have left an indelible impact on the first hours of 2025. Here’s what I’m happiest about:

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