As the Hoosiers prepare to play Notre Dame in South Bend, I caught up with Team NBS Media's Notre Dame insider Greg Rector to discuss the matchup and catch up on what could be the deciding factors in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.
Vierra: Hello Greg, thank you for joining us. Notre Dame is set to host Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. What does the Irish need to do to secure victory?
Rector: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish need to remain the same team they've been all season long. They can't care about this being a playoff game. The defense must attack the same way they have all season. Offensively, I believe Riley Leonard needs to find Mitchell Evans more often in the passing game because Indiana is number one against the run in college football.
Vierra: This will be Curt Cignetti’s and Marcus Freeman's first coaching appearance in the CFP. How will both men fair in such a scrutinized matchup?
Rector: Cignetti and Freeman both understand what is at stake. Both men are very wise to the stories on both. Both have signed extensions so their status isn't going to be questioned by any one with a reasonable mind.
Vierra: Talk about Jeremiah Love and the matchup nightmare he creates.
Rector: Jermiyah Love can certainly get a nice performance versus the Hoosiers. But so can Leonard and Price. I know the Hoosiers will be ready for Love but they have to be ready for the other two runners.
Vierra: Despite losing Benjamin Morrison earlier in the season, Notre Dame has remained elite on defense. What were the factors that kept their consistency?
Rector: Al Golden used Leonard Moore beautifully as he replaced Morrison.
Moore is as talented as Benjamin was as a freshman. Plus the pressure put on opposing QBs by the front seven of the Fighting Irish has made life a whole lot easier for the secondary.
Vierra: Give us your prediction for the game!
Rector: My prediction for Indiana versus Notre Dame is 30-24 for the Fighting Irish.
We'd like to thank Greg for his time and insight.