Jordan ClarkRobin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Shots
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The strongest analysis could be the absolute top.
Coming into the first College Football Playoff matchup of 2024, the query was as soon as customary. Could the Indiana offense—a prolific unit that struggled against its absolute top competition—deal with an elite Notre Dame defense?
It regarded not going, given the concerns IU encountered in a tight select over Michigan and lopsided loss to Ohio Narrate. Notre Dame, meanwhile, had ceded extra than 16 functions simplest twice all season. Outlier performances can occur, nevertheless it if truth be told did not secret agent wide for Indiana on paper.
On a cold Friday evening, it did not secret agent wide on the field, either.
ND’s suffocating defense backed up its billing, controlling the rare in-allege showdown for a 27-17 triumph over Indiana.
To launch the first quarter, the Irish compelled an rapid three-and-out. After a deflected pass led to improbable field put for IU, ball-hawking Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts made a take dangle of, diving interception conclude to the aim line to thwart a high scoring likelihood.
On the first snap of the next force, Jeremiyah Fancy raced 98 yards down the left sideline for a lead ND would by no system relinquish.
From there, we scrutinize in hindsight, it was as soon as over.
Indiana’s next two possessions ended with a punt, and a promising force before the spoil stalled in the red zone. The opening half of executed with the Hoosiers going by blueprint of a 17-3 deficit after mustering 138 yards.
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Notre Dame continued its dominance upright away in the second half of, sacking Kurtis Rourke on IU’s first offensive snap. Indiana punted on three straight drives—which gained a combined five yards—and the Irish ballooned their consequence in an insurmountable 24 functions in the technique.
Two rubbish-time touchdown drives later, the box ranking doesn’t secret agent so unpleasant for Rourke and the Hoosiers. Nonetheless he did not hit 100 yards passing till deep in the fourth quarter. Indiana chanced on very minute success throwing the ball outside of some slants, and the running game was as soon as a complete non-factor at 70 yards on 22 non-sack makes an try.
The defense, briefly, apt overwhelmed a talented IU team.
If the Irish can retain that level, they’ll be extremely complex to beat in the College Football Playoff. They’ve evolved to face second-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl for the period of the quarterfinals.
Now, don’t confuse that for a prisoner-of-the-second prediction. Notre Dame’s offense moved the ball decently ample on a resilient IU team but stays a pains.
Riley Leonard remains to be extra a QB the Irish are worthwhile with, not because of. He accomplished 23-of-32 passes for 201 yards, a modest 6.3-yard clip that’s even below his 80th-ranked 7.1-yard life like in the abnormal season. That merely could possibly possibly not be upright ample against high groups.
Moreover, while Fancy’s 98-yard scamper was as soon as prominent, ND trudged to a pair.3 yards on its remaining carries. This stuff can coexist as a undeniable—it simplest takes one urge!—and a right topic to show screen.
Nonetheless, again, this defense is a championship-caliber unit. The next matchup can also play into Notre Dame’s hands, as smartly.
Carson BeckDavid J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire by strategy of Getty Shots
Georgia is exceptionally talented as a complete, nevertheless starting quarterback Carson Beck is not expected to play in the CFP because of an elbow injury that sidelined him in the SEC Championship Game.
Gunner Stockton, a 4-massive title prospect in 2022, is a twin-threat with terrific doable. On the opposite hand, he’s attempted apt 51 passes and by no system started a game at Georgia. It’s simplest cheap to insist sending him out against this form of neat, physical defense is trigger for apprehension.
As with Indiana’s outlook on Friday in South Bend, outliers can occur. The surprising, despite every thing, is a staple of faculty soccer.
Notre Dame if truth be told could possibly possibly not be lacking self perception, though.
The entrance seven is sturdy, evidenced by 10 stops in the backfield on Friday. The secondary—led by Watts, who shy IU with 10 tackles and an interception—is a sticky unit and customarily affords up explosive performs even without massive title cornerback Benjamin Morrison.
History is littered with examples regarding the designate of an elite unit, and there is if reality be told not a weak point on ND’s defense. This efficiency sent a transparent warning to the the leisure of the capabilities in the CFP.
The competition level simplest increases from right here, nevertheless the Irish have faith a rock-solid foundation to belief.
