The Notre Dame Fighting Irish picked the wrong time of the year to get sick
Aside from having players already out due to injuries, the Fighting Irish players are now dealing with sickness.
On3’s Tyler Horka reported that several players on the squad are suffering from a flu outbreak ahead of the Orange Bowl against Penn State.
“Been told the flu is going around the Notre Dame locker room,” Horka posted. “Those who have it have it bad, but it sounds like that’s mostly backups and special teams players. Still, something to monitor for the Fighting Irish going into the Orange Bowl vs. Penn State tonight.”
NEW: The Notre Dame locker room is battling a flu outbreak ahead of the Orange Bowl vs. Penn State tonight, @tbhorka reports😷
“Those who have it have it bad, but it sounds like that’s mostly backups and special teams players.”https://t.co/m8hlB4BdLz pic.twitter.com/sn4yumxLZd
— On3 (@On3sports) January 9, 2025
This is the worst-case scenario that could happen, as Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff semifinal game is mere hours away.
The Fighting Irish reached the semifinals of the CFP by beating Indiana and Georgia. Now, they sit just one victory away from making history.
The Notre Dame vs. Penn State winner will face the Cotton Bowl winner between Texas and Ohio State for the national title.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Are Trying To Accomplish History
The Fighting Irish will make their sixth appearance in the Orange Bowl on Thursday against Penn State, though this edition will be marred by an outbreak of the flu.
It’s the first time Notre Dame will play in an Orange Bowl that is part of the College Football Playoff.
The Irish are looking to make a national championship game in Marcus Freeman’s third season.
Should that happen, Freeman would join the likes of Brian Kelly, Lou Holtz, and Dan Devine, who all made national championships in their third season.
The Irish hasn’t won it all since the 1988 season.
