Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Key advantages for each team in first-round College Football Playoff game

No. 10-seed Indiana (11-1) takes on (7) Notre Dame (11-1) on Friday night in a first-round College Football Playoff matchup between two in-state schools who have not played since 1991. Both teams excel in key areas, but how these strengths clash on the field will likely decide the outcome.

Indiana’s Relentless Pressure Without Blitzing

Indiana’s defense thrives by generating pressure on the quarterback without relying on blitzing. With a 39% QB pressure rate, ranking third in the nation, the Hoosiers disrupt opposing offenses while maintaining a solid secondary. Notre Dame, despite a strong offensive line, struggles under quick pressure, ranking 129th in average time to pressure allowed at 2.41 seconds.

MetricIND DefenseND OffenseQB Pressure %39% (3rd)26% (55th)Avg Time to Pressure2.40 sec (10th)2.41 sec (129th)

Kurtis Rourke’s Mastery Under Pressure

Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke has been a revelation this season, excelling even when defenses apply pressure. With an FBS-best 160.9 passer efficiency rating under duress and a remarkable 10.3 yards per attempt, Rourke’s ability to make plays in difficult situations gives Indiana a crucial edge. His performance in the red zone is just as impressive — 19 touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 72.7% completion rate lead the nation.

MetricFBS RankPass Efficiency (Under Pressure)160.9 (1st)Yards/Attempt10.3 (1st)Red Zone Pass Efficiency271.9 (1st)Red Zone Pass TD19 (T-3rd)

Notre Dame’s Middle 8 Dominance

The Fighting Irish excel in controlling the “Middle 8”–the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half. At home, Notre Dame has outscored opponents 52-0 in this critical stretch, leveraging their disciplined play to swing momentum. In contrast, Indiana has struggled on the road…

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Author : Ryan McGrady

Publish date : 2024-12-18 13:08:00

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