The College Football Playoff field has expanded to 12 teams, and for the first time in postseason history, we have playoff games being played on college campuses. This Friday we get the first game of the playoff: Indiana vs Notre Dame. What does this in-state rivalry have in store for us?
From: Rich Janzaruk (Herald Times)
I want to preface this story with my thoughts as an IU student, and then I'll break down the game. As the season has progressed, I have realized how toxic college football media is. As a college basketball die-hard, Cinderella stories and underdogs are celebrated and supported. In college football, that is not the case. National media who shill out to the SEC have doubted the Hoosiers all year. You can trace the sides of the Indiana debate to TV contracts. ESPN roots for the SEC because of the new TV deal they struck. The only national media member who has pounded the drum for IU continuously has been Joel Klatt, who coincidentally calls games for the Big Ten's biggest TV partner. I look forward to hopefully shutting these daunted media members up (I'm looking at you McShay and Russillo).
The Hoosier Headset
With that out of the way, let's look at the two teams. Indiana has been one of the more well-coached teams in the country. They play together for 60 minutes and never stop fighting. The star of the show is QB Kurtis Rourke, who finished 9th in Heisman voting. Rourke relies on chemistry and timing with his receivers, reminding you of the pocket-passing field generals who dominated the early 2010s. On the perimeter, Elijah Sarratt is the team's number 1 wide receiver and is a constant threat to move the chains. The Hoosiers boast a balanced offense, with running backs Ty Son Lawton and Justice Ellison running behind one of the best offensive lines in the country.
On the other side of the ball, Indiana is led by their defensive line. Mikail Kamara was an All-Big 10 first-teamer off the edge, with CJ West and James Carpenter at nose tackle. Behind them is a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker and leader of the unit, Aiden Fisher. Fisher plays with his hair on fire, flying downhill into the backfield. In the secondary, D'Angelo Ponds is a future NFL draft pick, and Amare Farrell is one of the more underrated safeties in the country. The Hoosier defense ranks as one of the best run defenses in the country.
From: Matt Cashore (Imagn Images)
The Irish Ideas
For the Irish, it is imperative they establish the run. Jeremiah Love is banged up but expected to play, which could be the difference maker Friday night. QB Riley Leonard has been underwhelming through the air but is a constant threat to take off and use his legs. The weapons on the perimeter for Notre Dame are lacking. As is par for the course, the Irish offensive line is dominant, with future NFL players littered across it. If Notre Dame wants to have success moving the ball against the Indiana defense, it most likely is going to have to be on the ground.
Defensively, Notre Dame is one of the better defenses in the country. With Marcus Freeman calling plays, they have routinely stonewalled high-powered offenses. While the secondary has taken a hit due to injuries, safety Xavier Watts is an All-American for a reason. Watts is one of the best safeties in the country, and will likely be tasked with preventing explosive plays from the Hoosier offense.
From: Briana Pace (The Indiana Daily Student)
Game Preview
This game is likely to be decided in the trenches. Can Notre Dame get to Kurtis Rourke with pressure? Nebraska, Michigan, and Ohio State were the three best defensive lines Indiana has faced all year. Against Nebraska, Rourke was protected and diced the Husker defense. When he faced the Wolverines, he had much less clean pockets, but was still effective, throwing for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Their toughest test of the season did not bode well, as the pressure Ohio State created forced Indiana out of their offensive rhythm.
On the flip side, can Indiana stonewall a potent Notre Dame rushing attack? Jeremiah Love has been one of the best running backs in the country. Riley Leonard adds another dynamic by being able to run. The Hoosiers are one of the best-run defenses in the country, which has held up against their two biggest tests against Michigan and Ohio State. Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards averaged 3 yards per carry. Quinshon Judkins averaged a lousy 2.6 yards per carry. Outside of a 39-yard run at the end of the game, Treyveon Henderson averaged a hair under 4 yards per carry.
Notre Dame might be able to get to Rourke, but I think the Hoosier defense stands tall on Friday night. With the Irish's offense being largely one-dimensional, IU's defensive line makes a statement. I also believe Curt Cignetti will have his team ready to play, pissed off about the Ohio State loss and ready to prove the doubters wrong.
Score Prediction: Indiana 24, Notre Dame 21
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