Notre Dame football to meet Iowa State in Camping World Bowl

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - After completing a 10-win regular season, the Irish waited more than a week to learn their postseason fate. That was announced Sunday, as the College Football Playoff committee released its final rankings, allowing various bowls to make their matchups official.

No. 15 Notre Dame will meet unranked Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando.

"[The team has] been great this whole time in waiting to hear who they're playing," Irish head coach Brian Kelly said on a teleconference after the announcement. "Now they're just excited about the opportunity to play one last game."

This will be the first-ever meeting between the Irish (10-2) and the Cyclones (7-5). Though Iowa State fell outside the Top 25, three of their five losses were decided by two points or fewer.

"It'll be a great challenge for our football team," Kelly said. "It'll be exciting. I know they travel well, and we travel well. It'll be a great kickoff to the CFB Playoff being the first game on, so our guys are looking forward to playing."

The Irish will have to settle as the lead-in for the College Football Playoff rather than the starring role they played a year ago. However, Kelly says there hasn't seemed to be any lingering disappointment from falling short of their ultimate goal.

"11 wins is certainly an outstanding football season and we want to end on a good note, but we won't be defined by one game," he said. "More than anything else, it's getting one more chance for these guys to play with their brothers and enjoy the game and enjoy the opportunity to be in Orlando."

The Camping World Bowl will kick off at noon on ABC.