And then there were four.

Over the next two days, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions, Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns will attempt to complete their quest for a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

The semifinal round begins Thursday when Notre Dame takes on Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinals in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Both teams earned their first two playoff wins this season and will face the winner Texas-Ohio State.

The duel is also historic.

With Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman facing off against Penn State’s James Franklin, a Black head coach is guaranteed to compete for an FBS National Championship for the first time in history. Penn State is the only semifinalist playing in its first College Football Playoff.

Here are the sights and sounds of the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff.

Threads for tonight

Ready to play ⚪️🔵#We are | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/bSLb1nlQ3U

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025

I feel happy 🍀#GoIrish | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/TFGQKaiV9T

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025

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Sights from the Notre Dame sidelines

Scenes from Miami 🍊#GoIrish | @NDFootball pic.twitter.com/p1m7xp1E5d

— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) January 9, 2025

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Ghost squads appear in Florida

The Fighting Irish take on Lincoln Road🌴📣

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Come to Capital One Orange Bowl, stay to Miami Beach. Make the most of your college playoff trip and download the new EXP Miami Beach Tours app for an interactive, first-hand look at Miami Beach’s iconic art and architecture… pic.twitter.com/PSMHrQunTs

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025

Bring the spirit of State College to Miami Beach

Looking for an insider’s guide to Miami Beach before and after the game? Go to @EMiamiBeach for a collection of Miami Beach itineraries and download the EXP Miami Beach Tours app to start planning your trip now! pic.twitter.com/3K29qxBKlD

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 9, 2025

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Orange Bowl fun

📍954 @visitlauderdale | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/Sj6a8RKzoK

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 8, 2025

South Florida hospitality at its finest!🌴@visitlauderdale | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/UmVMCmHpj0

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 8, 2025

Work hard, play hard @downtownMIA | #CapitalOneOrangeBowl pic.twitter.com/AG7a7zLe0U

— Capital One Orange Bowl (@OrangeBowl) January 8, 2025

Official Orange Bowl 🍊☘️#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/UkPoTN0zpv

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 8, 2025

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The stage is set

The semi-final phase.#We are X #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/bm5p83zRwf

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) January 9, 2025