If Notre Dame wins National Championship, NIU could reap residual benefits. Here is why and what it could do for NIU:

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock, who just finished his sixth season at the helm, isn’t jealous in the least of Notre Dame football's success.

Penn State and Notre Dame play in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The teams have played 19 times, including 12 consecutive years from 1981 to 1992.

Instead, Ohio State has rushed for 337 yards and six touchdowns in two CFP games. Putting up points against Oregon wasn’t surprising because the Ducks’ defense had poor performances in past matchups with CFP teams.

Before the 12-team College Football Playoff, Penn State was often the perennial bridesmaid, never the bride. In recent years, the Nittany Lions have frequently been on the outside looking in when it came to the four-team playoff,