The final spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals has been claimed.
And it belongs to No. 7 Notre Dame.
The Irish defeated the Bulldogs 23-10 in the 2025 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome on Thursday, one day after the game was postponed due to the attack early Wednesday morning in New Orleans that resulted in 15 deaths and more than 30 injuries.
REQUIRED READING:Sugar Bowl final score: Notre Dame upsets Georgia, advances to CFP semifinals
Notre Dame won’t have much time to dwell on its win Thursday, as it has a week to prepare for its CFP semifinals matchup against No. 6 Penn State.
The Irish’s defense carried Marcus Freeman’s squad into the next round of the CFP, as Notre Dame’s defensive unit forced three fumbles (one out of bounds) on top of causing key back-to-back turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter by Georgia’s offense.
Here’s what to know about who Notre Dame will play in the CFP semifinals, and a look at the full CFP schedule:
Who will Notre Dame play in CFP semifinals?
Notre Dame will advance to play No. 6 Penn State in the CFP Orange Bowl semifinal on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Penn State, who began the CFP with a win over No. 11 SMU, beat No. 3 Boise State on Tuesday in the Fiesta Bowl, 31-14. One matchup to look out for in the Orange Bowl will be how Riley Leonard deals with Penn State’s top-ranked defense. The Nittany Lions defense held Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to just 104 rushing yards in the Fiesta Bowl, despite not having star linebacker Abdul Carter.
The Orange Bowl will be the first meeting between the Irish and the Nittany Lions since 2007, when Notre Dame saw its two-game win streak against Penn State come to an end.
College Football Playoff schedule
All times Eastern
CFP first round
Friday, Dec. 20
- No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17
Saturday, Dec. 21
- No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10
- No. 12 Clemson 38, No. 5 Texas 24
- No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17
CFP quarterfinals
Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14
Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31 (2OT)
- Rose Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21
Thursday, Jan. 2
- Sugar Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10
CFP semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 9
- Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
Friday, Jan. 10
- Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
Buy Cotton Bowl tickets with SeatGeek
CFP championship
Monday, Jan. 20
- CFP championship game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo, free trial)
Updated CFP 12-team bracket
With its loss Thursday, Georgia became the latest team to be knocked out of the first ever 12-team CFP bracket. Here’s a look at what the CFP bracket looks like after Notre Dame’s win:
Oregon (13-1)Georgia (11-3)Boise State (12-2)Arizona State (11-3)- Texas (13-2)
- Penn State (13-2)
- Notre Dame (13-1)
- Ohio State (12-2)
Tennessee (10-3)Indiana (11-2)SMU (11-3)Clemson (10-4)
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After a dominating performance in the Sugar Bowl, Notre Dame will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game to face off against the winner of the Cotton Bowl. The Fighting Irish have proven themselves as a formidable team and will surely bring their A-game to the championship matchup. Stay tuned for updates on who Notre Dame will face as they continue their quest for the title! #GoIrish #CFBPlayoff #NationalChampionshipBound
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- Notre Dame football
- Sugar Bowl victory
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