INSIDER
In an era that is now long gone, a trip to the Orange Bowl meant a break from the rough weather up north and the capper to a successful season that might even end with a championship trophy in the case.
Smothering defenses have carried the last four teams still in the hunt for the national championship.
Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado and Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts are repeat first-team selections on The Associated Press All-America team.
No. 5 Notre Dame punched its ticket to the College Football Playoff with a 49-35 victory over Southern California for its 10th consecutive win.
Marcus Freeman still has not mastered the most underrated part of being a college football coach at a blue-blood school: Beat the teams you’re supposed to beat.
Jeremiyah Love broke a tie with a 21-yard touchdown run with 1:54 left and No. 7 Notre Dame beat No. 20 Texas A&M 23-13 on Saturday night in the opener for both teams.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is one of the second-ranked Buckeyes’ high-profile transfers.
Xavier Watts intercepted Caleb Williams twice and returned a fumble for a touchdown as No. 21 Notre Dame harassed the Heisman Trophy winner and handed No. 10 Southern California its first loss in a 48-20 victory.
