The 2024 College Football Playoff begins on Friday night with the Indiana vs. Notre Dame matchup in South Bend. With the Fighting Irish laying seven and the total sitting at 52 points, what’s the smart bet tonight at Notre Dame Stadium?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
Indiana Hoosiers (+6.5) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-6.5); o/u 52
8:00 p.m. ET, Friday, December 20, 2024
Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN
TV: ABC/ESPN
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Public Betting: Bettors Leaning Towards Irish
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 51% of bets are on Notre Dame. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
Rourke has career day in IU’s regular season finale
Kurtis Rourke completed 23 of 31 passes for 349 yards and six touchdowns during Saturday’s 66-0 victory versus Purdue. Rourke and the Indiana offense put on a show on a day in which the Hoosiers clearly were looking for style points to secure a spot in the upcoming College Football Playoff. The senior quarterback threw six touchdowns for the first time in his career as the Hoosiers completely embarrassed their in-state rival in a 66-0 shellacking.
It was a transcendent season for the Hoosiers as they won 11 games for the first time in program history, with Rourke leading the way in his first season at the Power-4 level after transferring from Ohio in the off-season. Rourke finished the regular season with 2,827 yards and 27 touchdowns to just four interceptions through 11 games while adding a pair of rushing scores as well. A first round matchup in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff likely awaits Rourke and the Hoosiers as they look to continue their dream season.
Leonard throws three TDs vs. USC
Riley Leonard completed 17 of 22 passes for 155 yards, two touchdowns and one interception during Saturday’s 49-35 win versus USC. He also had 12 rushes for 50 yards with one touchdown. Leonard surpassed the 2,000 passing yard mark (2,092) for the second time in his career, 2,794 yards in 2022 for Duke. In 12 games this season, he has only thrown five interceptions on 293 attempts and 16 passing touchdowns in the regular season. Leonard did set a career best for rushing yards, 721, this season. His previous best was 621 yards on the ground in ’22.
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana’s last 5 games on the road
Indiana is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Prediction
Take Indiana. The Hoosiers will put up a fight tonight in South Bend. First and foremost, they play with great tempo. The passing attack is incredibly efficient, as the offense is second behind only Miami in scoring. Only Oregon was better in the Big Ten on third downs. Rourke gets the ball out of his hands in a hurry, which helps neutralizes opponents’ pass rush. Did that happen against Ohio State? No, but I feel like Indiana will be better equipped to handle Notre Dame’s pass rush thanks to that loss to the Buckeyes.
I’m half-tempted to take the Hoosiers in the first half because I do believe the Notre Dame rushing attack will eventually hum. That said, I’d rather have the points in my back pocket in case a backdoor cover is in play. Either way, I see IU putting up a fight tonight.
Indiana vs. Notre Dame Prediction: Indiana Hoosiers +6.5