In this CFP, the Irish are winning over some people. Or maybe they're just benefitting from the distaste many feel for their opponents.

Once college football's perennial villain, Notre Dame has captured the hearts of fans nationwide. From their independent status to their Orange Bowl heroics, here's how the Fighting Irish became the unthinkable-likable.

Quarterback Riley Leonard saw Greathouse get open and found him for a 54-yard touchdown pass. That capped a 7-play, 81-yard drive that took 3:17 off the clock and tied the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at 24.

It was some combination of religion, a grudge involving Knute Rockne and a rival, and maybe the simple time-honored notion that some people just don’t like Notre Dame

While the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are celebrating their Orange Bowl victory this week, the rest of the college football world is debating if they should be in a conference. Before the Orange Bowl even kicked off on Thursday night,

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are looking to win a national championship in football for the first time in decades. Here is the last time Notre Dame won a national title.