Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Bold Predictions for College Football Playoff Showdown

Does Notre Dame win the first on-campus College Football Playoff game in expanded playoff?

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates getting an interception during a NCAA college football game against Virginia at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The wait is finally over as Notre Dame Stadium is just hours away from rocking as the Fighting Irish are set to host the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff.

It's the first game in the expanded playoff era and is of course the first playoff game to take place on a college campus at the FBS level.

Suffice to say, Notre Dame and the entire South Bend area is going to be rocking.

But what happens in the game Friday night? Can Notre Dame secure its biggest postseason win in more than a generation and advance to the Sugar Bowl to take on Georgia?

Below is how the Notre Dame on Sports Illustrated staff sees this one shaking out.

Notre Dame vs. Indiana Predictions: Nathan Erbach

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The snow has already come down on South Bend and we're unsure if it'll be around for kickoff but a little wind almost certainly will. Notre Dame has better talent across the board and is built to better operate in these conditions. On to the Sugar Bowl we go.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 34, Indiana 17


Bold prediction: Indiana hasn’t allowed a team to rush for more than 4.2 yards per carry on them all season and that was Charlotte in a blowout victory. They also haven’t allowed more than 137 yards on the ground.  Notre Dame blows both of those out of the water.

Notre Dame vs. Indiana Predictions: Jeff Feyerer

Nov 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price (24) carries the ball against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

First, Indiana. If Notre Dame controls the tempo and can run the ball, the game is theirs. The Hoosiers front seven is tough, but I'm still taking the Notre Dame offensive line. While Jeremiyah Love is the presumptive star, I think Jadarian Price and Mitchell Evans carry the offense in this game as Indiana tries to key on Love.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 28, Indiana 16

Bold Prediction: Al Golden sends pressure after Kurtis Rourke in a way that hasn't been done this season and Rourke looks pedestrian at best in the Irish victory.

Notre Dame vs. Indiana Predictions: Mason Plummer

Nov 19, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Heavy snow falls in the third quarter of the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Boston College Eagles at Notre Dame Stadium. / Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Notre Dame has the better athletes at nearly every position and it shows in front of a raucous Irish crowd. 

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 35, Indiana 17

Bold Prediction: Love and Price combine for 150 yards on the ground as the Irish gash Indiana from start to finish with a late touchdown drive to seal it.

Notre Dame vs. Indiana Predictions: John Kennedy

Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore (15) lines up during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend. / MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It wouldn't surprise me at all early on in this ballgame if there's a "feeling out" period between these two teams where each sees if they can run the ball north/south on the other. While I predict some frustrating stalemates early on, eventually Jeremiyah Love, JD Price, and Riley Leonard will all break for big plays in the run game as the Irish seize control. Defensively, Notre Dame will take control of the line of scrimmage as the game moves along and the Irish will wear Indiana down and suffocate them. Bring on Georgia.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Indiana 20

Bold Prediction: Youngster Leonard Moore jumps a flare pass in the flat and takes it home for six

Notre Dame vs. Indiana Predictions: Nick Shepkowski

Aug 31, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) tackles Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) at Kyle Field. / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Notre Dame certainly hasn't played the run as well as the pass in 2024 but will be on high alert to defend it Friday night. Howard Cross makes a massive impact as Notre Dame controls the defensive line of scrimmage all night long. After a slow start offensively for the Irish, the wheels really get turning in the second half and are primed for a trip to New Orleans.

Game Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Indiana 13

Bold Prediction: Indiana has run for 2,083 yards on the year and averaged 4.8 yards per carry to date. The Hoosiers won't average 2.5 per attempt on Friday night.