Matchup to Watch: CFP Round One: Notre Dame's Run Game vs. IU'S Defense

Written by: TJ Inman 

The Indiana Hoosiers travel to South Bend on Friday night for a showdown in the first round of the College Football Playoff with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The winner of this historic contest will play the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. As is the case with any big game, there are so many interesting storylines, wrinkles and critical factors but the one that really stands out as a matchup of “best on best” is the Notre Dame running game against IU’s rushing defense.

The Indiana Hoosiers are second in the country in opponent yards per rush attempt (2.6) and first in the country in opponent rushing yards per game (76.2). Notre Dame enters Friday night at number two in the country in rush yards per attempt (6.3) and 11th in the nation in rushing yards per game (224.8). 

The Irish lean heavily on a pair of fantastic running backs: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Love averages 7.08 yards per rush and has 15 touchdowns on the campaign while Price is at 7.31 yards per rush and has found the end zone seven times. Both players, especially Love, are adequate pass-catchers out of the backfield and will feature heavily in Notre Dame’s offensive plan. The running backs are not the only players that can do damage in this offense though. Quarterback Riley Leonard has 721 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns and he ended the regular season playing the best football of his career. 

With a current weather forecast that is projected to bring lake effect snow and sub-freezing temperatures to South Bend on Friday night, running the ball will be a critical part of the proceedings. Passing will, at best, be hampered by the elements. That could be a major problem for IU’s offense but it would also make Notre Dame one-dimensional and places an even greater emphasis on Indiana slowing down the Irish rushing attack. The marquee matchup between one of the country’s best rushing defenses and one of the best rushing attacks will go a long way towards deciding which Hoosier state team advances to face the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.