You couldn’t ask for more-perfect venue for the first game of the expanded College Football Playoff. Notre Dame rose to power in the first half of the 20th century and has been one of the preeminent programs since. In a fitting twist, the Fighting Irish will host a team that has never been on the national stage in this fashion.
But that will matter little to Indiana after a breakout campaign in coach Curt Cignetti’s first season. The Hoosiers have won 11 games for the first time. The downside? None of those wins came against a team the caliber of Notre Dame. That makes them as close to a Cinderella as there can be in the playoff. And who doesn’t love a Cinderella story?
It shapes up to be an amazing scene in South Bend with cold conditions and potential snow all in the shadow of the Golden Dome on the iconic Notre Dame campus. Who will win? Our experts provide their predictions.
Scooby Axson
The Hoosiers have been a nice story, but which Indiana team will we see? The one that dominated their less-talented competition, or the one that was run off the field by Ohio State when it stepped up in class. Notre Dame has its own playoff demons to exorcise, and the Irish’s defense will be enough to send Cinderella home early. Notre Dame 31, Indiana 20.
Jordan Mendoza
Indiana has had a fantastic season, but it’ll face a defense that really toughened up in the second half of the season. Kurtis Rourke is able to put some cracks in the passing defense, but he is unable to lead a game-winning drive in the final minutes. Notre Dame 30, Indiana 27.
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Paul Myerberg
Notre Dame is too much for Indiana across the board and scores an easy win to advance to the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. The Hoosiers have not fared well in matchups against similarly talented defenses and will need to win the turnover battle to win in South Bend. Notre Dame 36, Indiana 17.
Erick Smith
There are plenty of anti-Notre Dame fans that want to see the Fighting Irish embarrassed again on the national stage. And the Northern Illinois loss certainly provides some hope to them and Indiana. But this shapes up as a game that stays close with two defenses dominating in a cold environment before the team with more talent wins out. We saw this game before with the Hoosiers at Ohio State. It’ll be closer, but still a disappointment. Notre Dame 24, Indiana 14.
Eddie Timanus
The ‘no one believes in us’ card can be a powerful one, and the Hoosiers have been hearing about their lack of quality wins nonstop for several weeks. They’ll also be eager to prove a point to the team that has owned football in the state for a long time. The Irish will be ready, but the Hoosiers will pull the first upset of the playoffs. Indiana 31, Notre Dame 24.
Dan Wolken
I think the game is decided at the line of scrimmage, and based on what I saw from the Hoosiers against Ohio State, it’s going to be really tough for them to protect Kurtis Roarke enough to generate offensive. Notre Dame should be focused and primed to roll. Notre Dame 31, Indiana 10.
