Notre Dame vs. Indiana odds, predictions, picks and best bets
The No. 5 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers in a first-round College Football Playoff matchup. The 11-1 Hoosiers have been the Cinderella team of college football in 2024. However, they couldn't hang in their only matchup against a ranked team this season against Ohio State, losing 38-15. Indiana […]
The No. 5 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers in a first-round College Football Playoff matchup.
The 11-1 Hoosiers have been the Cinderella team of college football in 2024. However, they couldn't hang in their only matchup against a ranked team this season against Ohio State, losing 38-15. Indiana got it's groove back last week as it blasted Purdue 66-0, but will now have to prove that it can go toe-to-toe with the nation's best teams.
Outside of an early season upset loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame has been dominant all year long, winning 10 if it's 11 games by multiple possessions. The Fighting Irish's defense is one of the best in the country, ranking third against the pass and in points allowed. Their offense also ranks third in points scored per game with 39.8.
Let's dive in to the best odds, bets and predictions for this matchup.
*Odds from FanDuel and subject to change
Notre Dame vs. Indiana Moneyline
Notre Dame: -285
Indiana: +230
There are two intriguing strength-versus-strength matchups in this game. The first is between Notre Dame's rushing attack and Indiana's front seven. Running back Jeremiyah Love and quarterback Riley Leonard lead the Fighting Irish's 10th ranked rushing attack, but the Hoosiers have the No. 1 run defense in the country. Indiana must make Leonard throw the ball to beat them.
The second key matchup is quarterback Kurtis Rourke and the explosive Indiana passing attack against Notre Dame's No. 3 ranked pass defense. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the forecast for this game is going to be extremely cold with possible snow. Combining that with how great the Fighting Irish's secondary is, Indiana's offense could be limited.
Neither team has played a very high level of competition this year, but Notre Dame did beat No. 22 Army a few weeks ago. I'm going with the Fighting Irish in this game because I believe they have a slightly better roster, and they're playing at home. However, the Hoosiers should give a valiant effort, so I'll pick them to cover the spread.
Notre Dame vs. Indiana Spread
Notre Dame: -7.5 (-110)
Indiana: +7.5 (-110)
I think Notre Dame will take care of business at home, but Indiana will play hard and take some lessons from it's loss to Ohio State last month.
Notre Dame vs. Indiana Over-Under 51.1 total points
Over: -105
Under: -115
The strength of both of these teams are their defenses, and the weather conditions won't be favorable for offense. I'm definitely taking the under here.
