Indiana vs. Notre Dame expert picks, predictions, and best bets break down this massive in-state battle in the first-ever game in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The College Football Playoff is finally here! It’s officially game week for the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, and it all kicks off Friday night from South Bend as 2024 surprise Indiana will head to square off against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in South Bend in a historic matchup.
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Indiana pic.twitter.com/mgr5k7Sl64
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 8, 2024
For starters, this will be the first Notre Dame home game played at Notre Dame Stadium on a Friday since 1900. The bad thing for Indiana is that the Hoosiers are 5-23-1 all-time against the Fighting Irish in football. The good thing is their last meeting was all the way back in 1991, a 49-27 victory for the Irish.
Can the Irish continue the trend against their in-state rivals? Or will the Hoosiers bring Irish fans to their knees with a stunning first-round upset?
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Expert Picks and Best Bets
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Betting Preview
All Indiana vs. Notre Dame odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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Spread
Notre Dame -7.5 -
Moneyline
Indiana -+245, Notre Dame -280 -
Over/Under
51.5 points -
Game time
7:00 p.m. ET -
Location
Notre Dame Stadium | South Bend, IN -
Predicted Weather at Kick
28 degrees, mostly cloudy, 8 mph winds -
How To Watch
ABC/ ESPN
For me, this one is a game filled with a plethora of question marks. The reality is we’re not really sure who each of these teams really is. According to the College Football Network, Notre Dame comes into this matchup with a strength of schedule that ranked 57th in the nation, and Indiana enters with a SOS ranked 67th. So, what does this mean? Well, neither of them has really played anyone.
Indian comes in having played one ranked team in 2024, a 36-15 loss to Ohio State, which was ranked No.2 in the nation at the time. Irish fans have been very vocal talking about their four ranked wins over Texas A&M, Lousiville, Army, and Navy. Of those four teams, only one is still ranked. Ary is currently ranked No. 22, but that was before they lost to Navy 31-13 in the annual matchup between the two storied service academies. Texas A&M finished sixth in the SEC, and Louisville finished in a three-way tie for fourth in the ACC. Those wins aren’t exactly the flex Irish fans believe it is.
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Expert Picks and Best Bets
I do believe that the Irish defense is very talented. They’re led by the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner and Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Year, Xavier Watts. The problem is that we’ve never seen this defense against a prolific offense. On paper, if you don’t consider the competition, Indiana has one of the most prolific offenses in the country. The good thing for the Irish is that we’ve only seen Indiana go up against one elite defense in 2024, and they didn’t pass the test.
The passing attack for Indiana is the nation’s most efficient, the offense a relentless force, second only to Miami in scoring. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the conductor of this symphony, releases the ball quickly, neutralizing any pass rush and keeping defenses guessing.
"Give me IU. I'm not ready to cancel the Church of Cignetti." 🗣️@CoachNeuheisel says the 10th-ranked @IndianaFootball Hoosiers with pull the CFP upset in South Bend vs. Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/dEOXG377zH
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 10, 2024
On defense, they’ve been great. The Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in run defense, holding opponents under 137 rushing yards all season. Tackles aren’t missed; opportunities are rare. Notre Dame thrives on the ground, much like Michigan, a team Indiana limited to 69 rushing yards in a 20-15 win. Ohio State exposed some vulnerabilities through the air in a 38-15 victory.
For Notre Dame, the key is balance—grit up front, discipline defensively, and patience offensively. Indiana doesn’t make mistakes, but can the Hoosiers’ efficiency hold against an Irish team that is rested and ready?
I really think this spread will come down to the last possession. I see Notre Dame leading 31-20, with Indiana driving for a back door cover. Or Notre Dame leading 27-23 with four minutes to play and a chance to ice the game and get the cover. It’s a true coin flip but I think we’ll get a great football game.
Prediction: Notre Dame 30 – Indiana 24
Best Bet: Indiana +7.5
