The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff started with a clash of in-state foes as the seventh-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured a 27-17 victory over the tenth-ranked Indiana Hoosiers. This historic matchup marked the first postseason game under the expanded playoff format and provided plenty of intrigue for fans of both programs.
While the final score suggests a closer game, the Irish largely controlled the contest, using a blend of physicality and discipline to advance to the next round and a marquee matchup with No. 2 Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
A Dominant Irish Performance with Splashes of Brilliance
Notre Dame didn’t overwhelm Indiana with flashy plays or explosive offense, but they didn’t need to. The Irish relied on their hallmark traits of efficiency and physicality to dictate the pace. The defining moment came early in the game when running back Jeremiyah Love broke free for a 98-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, electrifying the Notre Dame faithful and putting the Irish up 7-0.
Notre Dame struck again in the second quarter with a balanced drive capped by a short touchdown run from quarterback Riley Leonard. By halftime, the Irish held a comfortable lead, and Indiana’s offense looked overwhelmed by Notre Dame’s defense, which was in peak form.
Indiana managed a few flashes of resistance, scoring in the second half to narrow the gap, but every attempt to claw back into the game was met with Notre Dame’s steady resolve. A late fourth-quarter touchdown from Leonard put the game out of reach, solidifying the 27-17 victory.
Indiana’s Strength of Schedule Under the Microscope
Indiana’s 2024 season was one of the biggest surprises in college football, with the Hoosiers finishing 11-1 under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. Despite their remarkable turnaround, questions about the strength of their schedule loomed large coming into this matchup.
The Hoosiers faced limited elite competition during the regular season, and their only game against a powerhouse team, Ohio State, exposed significant talent disparities. Against Notre Dame, Indiana once again struggled to match up physically, highlighting the gap between their program and college football’s traditional powerhouses.
The playoff committee’s inclusion of Indiana sparked debate among fans and analysts. Moving forward, the strength of the schedule will likely weigh more heavily in the selection process, particularly for non-traditional contenders like Indiana.
Notre Dame’s Opportunity Ahead
With the win, Notre Dame advances to face No. 2 Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. While the Bulldogs are perennial championship contenders, they enter the matchup with their own questions. Georgia will likely rely on a backup quarterback after starter Carson Beck suffered an injury in the SEC Championship Game against Texas.
With its balanced offense and formidable defense, Notre Dame can pull off the upset. The Irish will need another strong performance from Riley Leonard and continued excellence from their defense to slow down Georgia’s potent attack.
A Season to Remember for Indiana
Despite the loss, Indiana’s 2024 campaign remains a remarkable achievement. The Hoosiers rose from obscurity to claim an 11-1 record and their first playoff berth in program history. While they fell short against Notre Dame, the foundation laid by Curt Cignetti suggests a bright future ahead for Indiana football.
What’s Next?
Notre Dame moves on to face Georgia, a team that has shown vulnerability this season despite its pedigree. The Bulldogs have flirted with disaster multiple times, including losses to Alabama and Ole Miss and a triple-overtime scare against Georgia Tech.
This presents a golden opportunity for Notre Dame to make a deep playoff run. Georgia’s defense will provide a stiffer challenge than Indiana, but the Irish have the tools and momentum to compete at the highest level.
As the 12-team playoff era begins, Notre Dame’s victory over Indiana serves as a reminder that the road to a national championship is both grueling and unpredictable. For the Irish, the journey continues to New Orleans, where the next chapter of this historic season awaits.
