I don’t really see a scenario where ND loses this game. I make them 75% to win so while this is a big favorite I have to trust my numbers. I love pairing this with an Indiana team total under 22.5 as well.

During its 10-game win streak following a loss to Northern Illinois, the Irish played just one top-15 opponent and was taken to the wire by Louisville. Upstart Indiana has similarly been knocked for a modest strength of schedule but the Hoosiers have defeated some solid opponents. Moreover, their top-ranked rushing defense (70.8 ypg) should give Notre Dame a challenge. look for the Hoosiers to fight until the finish and cover the number.

Notre Dame is one of the most public, popular bets for the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers haven’t really been tested all season. The one game they were, in Columbus, they lost by 23 points. Notre Dame has one of the top passing and rushing attacks in the country, but the Hoosiers are second the nation in defending the run. Even though they were blown out by Ohio State, their rushing defense still limited the Buckeyes rushing attack. Indiana also has one of the top red zone defenses in the country, which if they can hold them to field goals instead of touchdowns and control the clock, their offense should be able to do enough to stay in this one.

Notre Dame wins with defense and its running game, which is exactly what the cold-weather kickoff calls for Friday night. While Indiana has been immense offensively, it largely took advantage of a weak schedule in building its College Football Playoff bid. The Hoosiers are better than they showed against Ohio State and should be far more competitive in this game; however, life will not be easy in the cold against one of the best pass defenses in the country. Did not like the line at -7.5, but under a TD, it's worth a play.

Taking nothing away from what Curt Cignetti (likely Coach of the Year) has accomplished in his first season at Bloomington, and noting that IU was a real force this season, the Hoosiers didn't have to deal with a first-rate opponent other than Ohio State, a result that ended badly for Cignetti's troops. While some concerns about Notre Dame and its schedule, too, the Irish defense is a roughhouse platoon, ranking top ten under DC Al Golden for a second straight season, and QB Riley Leonard is a playmaker who can lean on an effective infantry. While this matchup offers intrigue, and IU has had a great ride this season, we think it is also where the Hoosiers hop off of the carousel. Play Notre Dame

I almost posted a poll in the SportsLine Discord channel yesterday asking if anyone thought we would see 6.5. But I didn't because I thought it unlikely. So consider me surprised here. And happy. IU has been a great story and it's cool as heck the playoff forced Notre Dame to face its in-state rival. But go look at the Hoosiers' schedule. Shockingly weak as they really beat no one. Their one good opponent, Ohio State, won by more than three TDs. ND has been arguably the nation's best team since about mid-September.

Notre Dame can cover this spread because they have the ability to make this game a point of attack game. Very disciplined on both sides of the line of scrimmage, which can help them salt the game away offensively. Defensively, they have the secondary to match up well vs Indiana's passing game.

I'm buying Notre Dame here at -6.5 (-115) as I set the line at -9 in a true home game in the cold. The Notre Dame running game should be the difference, with Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, and Riley Leonard keeping the chains moving and putting significant pressure on Indiana.

Probably will come back and play Notre Dame ATS, but the first-ever outdoor cold-weather College Football Playoff game means I have to play Under on principle. Two of the top five scoring defenses in the nation, and I expect a fairly run-heavy game plan on both sides in part because it will be below freezing in South Bend with a bit of wind and possible snow showers on Friday night. Indiana ranks No. 1 against the run.

Notre Dame has won ten games this season but double-digits and has scored at least 28 points ten times. Indiana has only faced four bowl teams and one ranked team (Ohio State), while the Fighting Irish are 7-1 vs. bowl teams and 4-0 vs. ranked teams. The Hoosiers have been great this season but against who? The Irish roll on to Round 2. Notre Dame 34, Indiana 17.

We've got two of the most opportunistic teams in the nation battling out with Notre Dame having the most forced turnovers with 28 and the second-best turnover margin with 16. Indiana has the fourth-best turnover margin with 15. In both cases, their schedules were fairly easy and they gained all the turnovers. Both these teams are similar statistically, that will be the story of this exciting high-scoring game. Both teams like to go over the total with Indiana going 9-3 to the over and Notre Dame going 7-5 to the over. This game gets over.