Penn State football will take the field for a program-record 16th time this Thursday when it faces Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

While James Franklin and a host of players have characterized this particular season as a grind not unlike that of the NFL, the team has a chance at history. Even with Abdul Carter’s status unknown for Thursday, the Nittany Lions have navigated “bumps and bruises” and the extra wear and tear of more games than ever before fairly well.

With the semifinal matchup ahead, some players are faced with decisions on their future, adding to the weight of the College Football Playoff. Throughout the weekend’s press conferences, though, there was a common theme among those who are draft-eligible: It’s a problem for the future.

“Priority No. 1 is what’s in front of us right now,” junior defensive tackle Zane Durant said on Sunday. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We’ll worry about [the future] when we get there.”

That future could come more quickly than the Nittany Lions would like. In a year filled with firsts and unprecedented territories, there’s still a game to win.

Ahead of the Fiesta Bowl, Franklin said that the trip wasn’t like a typical bowl trip — it was all business. With the lights arguably brighter now that Penn State is one of the last four teams standing, it’s going to be more of the same for the Nittany Lions this week.

Managing the expectations, national media coverage, and heightened consequences of the national semifinal is another tough task facing the blue and white. Understanding the gravity and enjoying the moment while getting game-ready is a fine line, but the players know they can balance it. On top of that, the long season takes a toll on the body.

“It’s a huge learning curve for everybody,” defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas said. “This is the longest season anybody’s ever experienced, and we have to make sure everybody’s on their P’s and Q’s because the season could go a lot of different directions.”

While the season could still go in different directions, the uncertainty around the defense specifically has nearly disappeared compared to the beginning of the season with Tom Allen taking over one of the best units in the country.

The change hasn’t been without its hiccups, but replacing the success of Manny Diaz was never going to be easy. Going into the semifinals, the system is working.

“I think coach Allen has done a tremendous job of utilizing his best players and putting them in the best positions,” J-Thomas said. “The schemes that we’re running are kind of hard for an offensive team to look at and scheme for just because we’ve given so many diverse looks.”

Through everything surrounding the team, there’s a singular focus for the defense. Notre Dame boasts one of the top offensive lines in the country and lays claim to a strong run game as well.

Even with decisions looming, the Nittany Lion defense, led by a talented group of veteran upperclassmen, is only looking at the challenge directly ahead.

“They’re confident as ever and are playing fast and physical,” Durant said of the defense’s veteran leadership. “I think they’re playing their best ball, and I think we’re ready for next week.”