The inaugural 12-team playoff kicks off Friday night in South Bend. With iconic programs and campus stadiums headlining the first round, fans are in for a treat. TPR dives into the impact transfers to watch in each of the weekend’s matchups. (Odds via ESPN Bet)
No.10 Indiana @ No.7 Notre Dame (-7), Friday, 8:00 EST on ABCÂ
For the Hoosiers:Â
Curt Cignetti’s squad heads into this interstate rivalry with a chip on their shoulder the size of a 38-15 loss to Ohio State. After the defeat in Columbus, many wrote off the Hoosiers as a team with no chance to compete in the expanded playoff field. Â
Now, led by Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke, Indiana has the opportunity to shock the world. Rourke received a 91.2 PFF grade this season, good for No.1 amongst QBs in the Big Ten. The sixth-year senior tallied 2,827 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in the regular season while throwing just four interceptions. Â
Look for Rourke and James Madison transfer Elijah Sarratt (890 yards and 8 touchdowns in ‘24) to be the key to a potential upset on the road.Â
For the Fighting Irish:Â
Following a shocking week two loss at Notre Dame Stadium to Northern Illinois, quarterback Riley Leonard requested a ride home from a police officer to avoid embarrassment. In that contest, the Duke transfer threw for 163 yards and two interceptions in a 16-14 defeat.Â
Ten victories later, the Fighting Irish sit at 11-1, with the chance to make history as the first team to win a home playoff game. Â
The ground game leads the way for Coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame. Leonard rushed for 721 yards and 14 touchdowns in the regular season. The top two backs, Jeremiyah Love and Jadrian Price, rushed for 949 yards (15 TDs) and 651 yards (7 TDs) respectively. Â
If the Irish can get the backfield rolling, they should have minimal issues dispatching the upset-hungry Hoosiers.Â
