Ahead of the highly anticipated in-state showdown between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 10 Indiana in the College Football Playoff, legendary coach Nick Saban took a moment to share his insights on what fans can expect when these two teams clash tomorrow in South Bend.
Keys to Notre Dame’s Success
When discussing the Fighting Irish, Saban emphasized the importance of playing a balanced game. “Well, I think number one is, you know, Notre Dame has to play really good, complimentary football,” he stated during his appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Thursday. “That’s what they’ve done all year. They really don’t blow people out.”
Notre Dame has showcased a steady operation on both offense and defense, finishing the season with an impressive record of 11-1. Their offense ranked third in the nation for points scored, while their defense also secured a third-place finish for points allowed. This led to an average margin of victory of 26.2 points, which is second only to their in-state rivals, Indiana. How will they leverage this consistency in the playoffs?
Challenges for Indiana
On the other side of the field, Saban pointed out the challenges facing the Hoosiers. He believes that Indiana must find a way to keep their offense from faltering against Notre Dame’s formidable defense. “I think, from Indiana’s standpoint, they’re going to have to handle the pressure of Notre Dame’s defense,” Saban explained. “They pressure 46% of the time. First down, second down, third down – it doesn’t matter. They want to try to create a lot of negative plays, a lot of positive down and distance situations for their defense then take advantage of pressuring you on third down.”
So, how can Indiana overcome this? Saban thinks that if the Hoosiers can stay on schedule and avoid negative plays, they’ll have a much better chance of pulling off an upset. He noted, “If Indiana can’t handle that, that’s going to be a problem. But when people have handled it, like USC did, Notre Dame struggled a little bit on defense and had to count on turnovers to be able to survive.”
Indiana’s Strengths
Despite the challenges, Saban believes Indiana is better than many people think. “I think Indiana is probably better than most people think,” he said. “They’ve got a really good opportunity if they can handle the pressure on offense and keep the ball away from Notre Dame, who can run it probably better than they can throw it.”
Indiana has shown resilience in protecting their quarterbacks, averaging just 1.5 sacks allowed per game and facing 4.1 tackles for loss. While they faced tougher defenses like Michigan and Ohio State, they still managed to maintain a solid offensive performance. With an average of 6.7 yards per play and 22.4 first downs per game, they have a conversion rate of 46.3% on third downs. Can they replicate this success against Notre Dame?
Looking Ahead
As the first-ever expanded playoff kicks off tomorrow night, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. Notre Dame and Indiana are not just playing for a win; they are vying for the chance to face off against Georgia in the quarterfinals. It’s a thrilling moment for college football fans, and Saban’s insights provide a roadmap for what both teams need to do to succeed.
In summary, Notre Dame must focus on their complimentary football approach, while Indiana needs to withstand the pressure and keep their offense on track. With both teams bringing their A-game, fans can expect an electrifying matchup that will set the tone for the playoffs. Who will rise to the occasion and secure their spot in the next round? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: this game is not to be missed!
