Notre Dame pulling off the Sugar Bowl win against Georgia? Pure fire. But if they beat Penn State in the Orange Bowl, Freeman could be the first coach since ’98 to lead them to playoff finals. These vibes are huge, aren’t they? However, there is a catch—there are some serious uncertainties surrounding their star performer Jeremiyah Love’s progress with his injury. He has been grappling with it, and now the question arises: can he even continue playing the game?

But as we say, big things come with a high price, and exactly that happened with their star running back, Jeremiyah Love. Love reinjured his ailing right knee late in the third quarter of Notre Dame’s 23-10 victory over second-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. He went into the medical tent twice before returning to the sideline with a hefty brace protecting his knee. But when coach Marcus Freeman spoke with reporters Saturday, Love did not make the team’s injury report. Quite a relief.

However, even though the only injury update from the game is just about Cooper Flanagan. There is still tension lying on Jeremiayah Love’s part as insider Tyler Horka shares some recent updates regarding his injury. Horks said, “We didn’t see much again, but we did see enough of running backs working with quarterbacks to know who’s the first team, who’s the second team, and Riley Leonard was handing off to Jaran Price, Steve Anelli was handing off to Jeremiyah Love. That right there tells you kind of where things are at four days before the Orange Bowl. And the reason for that is Jeremiyah Love was wearing a heavy brace, which is what I would call it, on his right knee.”

Well, at least he is practicing. And until any further update, it’s evident that we might see our best duo, Love and Notre Dame’s star quarterback, Riley Leonard, on the field leading the ground game. See, the Irish need Jeremiyah Love on the field against Penn State, as he has been a key contributor to Notre Dame’s offense. Leading them with 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns. Moreover, his key plays did wonders for the team.

During Notre Dame’s game against Indiana, Jeremiyah Love’s 98-yard first score was a straight-up breathtaking moment. Not only did it set the tone for the Irish win against the Hoosiers, but it also made a record for the longest touchdown run in playoff history. Yeah, you read that right—HISTORY! Now you can understand why Love is absolutely crucial for their upcoming matchup against Penn State. Without him at full strength, things could get really messy.

Notre Dame or Penn State, who has an edge?

We all know that Marcus Freeman’s team leads in defense, and it’s more evident after their victory against the Dawgs. Moreover, the legacy he has created since the moment Marcus joined the team is remarkable. Just look at his 30-9 record over three seasons; it speaks volumes about his success. Plus, the quality of football and the cultural shift he brought to the team set Notre Dame apart from others.

And just so you know, it’s not just some random clash but a battle of strategies, consistencies, and a little competition. See, it’s not like Penn State is any less of a team in defense. Both teams boast top-tier defense, so this game is gonna be a real test to see who reigns supreme. But let’s be real, offense wins games. And Notre Dame has shown time and time again that they can put points on the board against anyone.

Well, obviously, their quarterback leads the attack that mixes ground and air efficiency, making them pretty much explosive. At the same time, Penn State has a strong run game and smart play-calling methods. So, it’s nearly impossible to even make a wild guess who will overpower whom. But one thing is for sure: if Jeremiyah Love returns in full form, then Notre Dame can really make it to the finals.

Now with legacy, emotions, and, most importantly, making history in the mix, let’s see which team actually makes it to the final cut of the championship.