Notre Dame-Syracuse at home in New York

NEW YORK >> Pinstripe uniforms. The Empire State Building shining blue and gold. The marching band performing at Bryant Park and the drummer’s circle at Rockefeller Center. When Notre Dame plays in New York City it comes with fanfare and pageantry.

The third-ranked Fighting Irish (10-0, No. 3 CFP) visit Yankee Stadium in contention for the College Football Playoff. They face No. 12 Syracuse, the highest-ranked team the Orange have fielded in 20 years.

Notre Dame is two victories away from an unbeaten regular season and an almost certain spot in the national semifinals for the first time in the five-year history of the four-team playoff. The Irish finish the season next week at rival Southern California.

Since before the season, the late-season travel schedule has been a topic of conversation. Now concern among Notre Dame fans about the long road trips has been exacerbated because Syracuse (8-2, No. 12 CFP) is the best it has been years.

The Orange are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2013, have won eight regular-season games for the first time since 2001 and have their best AP Top 25 ranking since 1998. Running coach Dino Baber’s fast-paced offense, quarterback Eric Dungey is averaging 288 total yards per game and has accounted for 26 touchdowns (14 passing, 12 rushing). Few teams operate faster than the Orange, and they are more balanced this season, with 32 rushing touchdowns and 216 yards rushing per game.