The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will seek their first national championship since 1988, when Lou Holtz roamed the sidelines and the Irish were seen as more of a powerhouse on the national stage than they have been in recent years.

Heading into Thursday night's College Football Playoff semifinal against Penn State, Notre Dame faced questions about its independent status. Notre Dame's lack of conference affiliation has been a sore spot for many opposing fans,

Notre Dame earned a spot in the national championship game and in the process will cash in on some serious money from the College Football Playoff. After the Fighting Irish knocked off Penn State in the semifinal round,

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.

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.