Notre Dame players and staff members are dealing with a "flu or a virus" ahead of Thursday night's College Football Playoff semifinal against Penn State, a school official confirmed in a statement to CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello.

Just four teams remain in pursuit of a college football national championship. It all gets underway later tonight, when Notre Dame takes on Penn State in the Orange Bowl. The winner of that game will face the winner of Friday night’s Cotton Bowl Classic between Texas and Ohio State.

Abdul Carter has been a huge part of Penn State's defense this season, as the junior defensive end has compiled 11 sacks and two forced fumbles. But he suffered an injury in the win over Boise State back on New Year's Eve.

Adam Silverstein, on a 16-2 run (+1375) on Penn State picks, has revealed his CFP semifinal predictions for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2025 Orange Bowl on Thursd

Today’s College Football Playoff Semifinals features No. 6 Penn State taking on No. 7 Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl for a shot to compete for the national title.

Notre Dame last won a national championship in 1988. Penn State hasn't been crowned champion of college football since 1986. These blue blood programs are two wins away from a title and meet tonight in the Orange Bowl for the first semifinal of the College Football Playoff.

Both ESPN's matchup analytics and the betting odds are favoring Notre Dame. The Notre Dame vs. Penn State football game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT start on ESPN on Thursday, Jan. 9. Sean McDonough is expected to do the play-by-play. Greg McElroy is expected to join him in the booth.

Here's a look at the series history between Penn State and Notre Dame heading into their College Football Playoff semifinal matchup.