The stunning photographs are the work of Gregory Heisler, under the direction of photo editor Meredith Nicholson.

FORBES: Sidelines

Notre Dame, which lost the national championship to Alabama last month, has no plans to play an FCS opponent, Heisler said.

WSJ: Notre Dame: Irish Won't Rule Out Feeding on Cupcakes

But, "there is no document here nor has there ever been that says Notre Dame will never play an FCS program, " Heisler said.

WSJ: Notre Dame: Irish Won't Rule Out Feeding on Cupcakes