Indiana Hoosiers vs Notre Dame Game Preview and Prediction

The first game of the entire College Football Playoff kicks off at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, December 20th.

No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) travel to South Bend (IN) just over 200 miles away to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1)

The winner of this matchup with advance to the CFP Quarterfinals against Georgia at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans (LA) on New Years Day, Jan 1st.

The Hoosiers have a memorable and historic year one under first-year coach (and Coach of the Year) Curt Cignetti. From 3-8 just a season ago in 2023, to CFB Playoffs under former James Madison coach Cignetti just like that.

Led by head coach Marcus Freeman, the expectation in South Bend are always playoffs or bust so this is no cinderella story on the other side for the "Golden Domers". Notre Dame has won 10 straight games since the loss at home to Northern Illinois, averaging a 26.3 point per game win margin.

Though, in state the Indiana Hoosiers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish are hardly "rivals" they haven't played since 1991. Notre Dame won that matchup over 30 years ago, 49-27 and own a 23-4-1 record in the all-time series.

The keys for Indiana :

Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton need to run the ball efficiently and often. The dynamic running back duo have a combined 19 explosive runs this season, which includes gains of 20 plus yards or more.

Stopping Riley Leonard is a must for Notre Dame's newly balanced offensive attack. Leonard has been better later in the year as a passer but they haven't played a defense in the top 25 and IU's is in the top 10 nationally.

ESPN Kirk Herbstreit said this bout Leonard on Pardon My Take for Barstool Sports.

“Let’s start Friday night. I think Riley Leonard, I don’t know if I trust him yet,” Herbstreit stated. “I don’t know how many times he’s really been challenged. So I don’t know. It’s not that I don’t trust him. It’s just we don’t know. Can Indiana put him in a place where they get him in those third down situations where he’s got to make plays with his arm, not just his legs, with his arm? I’m excited to see that.\

Kurtis Rourke needs to get off to a good start versus Notre Dame's elite defense. ESPN today ranked him the 16th-best player in the playoff tournament. Rourke completed 70.4% of his passes for 2,827 yards and threw 27 touchdown passes with only four interceptions. Rourke ranked third in all of college football in Adjusted Total QBR

The keys for Notre Dame :

When All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison went down with a season ending injury a lot of pundits thought ND would struggle in the secondary but they stayed the course and ended up being on of the best secondaries in the nation. Led by Xavier Watts, cornerbacks Christian Gray and Leonard Moore, the Irish rank eighth in pass breakups and interceptions.

Interior defensive lineman Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills need to setp up, the Irish run game has been shaky this season, they are 83rd in rushing defense this season. Stopping Ellison and Lawton will be key.

Riley Leonard needs to ball out, plain and simple. Notre Dame has flown under the radar since losing to Northern Illinois on their 10 game win streak but with three weeks off since their last game, they need to shake off the rust in the snow. Leonard needs to past the test early, because Cignetti and IU's defense will bring pressure early and often.

Indiana vs Notre Dame Game Information & Odds

Date: Friday, Dec. 20 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Notre Dame Stadium -- South Bend, Indiana
TV: ABC/ESPN | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)

According to FanDuel the total at 51.5 points for the game (Over -105, Under -115).

And it lists the money line odds for Notre Dame at -280 and for Indiana at +225 to win outright.

Prediction: Notre Dame over Indiana (24-21)

I would love to pick Indiana here and I could but I believe the Fighting Irish will win this game late and break away. Leonard and Love will run the ball well enough on offense and the defense will make a turnover or two to steak this win and move on the New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia on Jan 1st.