James Franklin and the Nittany Lions are one win away from their first national title game appearance since 1986. First they'll have to defeat the Fighting Irish.

For this first day of the Playoff Payoff, you can get a No-Sweat Token to use on a 3+ leg Same Game Parlay wager for the Orange Bowl. The game features No. 7 Penn State (13-2) and No. 6 Notre Dame (13-1) meeting on Thursday night in Miami,

This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox. Good morning! Thinking about all of you in Los Angeles this morning. About That Big Game: Cavs-Thunder lived up to the hype If that was a finals preview,