The College Football playoffs have begun in earnest this weekend. Indiana take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first game.
If you want to watch it or stream it on your device, keep reading.
How To Watch: Notre Dame vs. Indiana
- Time: 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on Friday, December 20.
- Location: Notre Dame Stadium | Notre Dame, IN
- How To Watch: ESPN+\ABC
- Live Stream: fuboTV (Watch Free)
The football history between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Indiana Hoosiers is relatively limited but notable in the context of college football rivalries in the Midwest. Here’s an overview of their head-to-head football history:
Early Years:
- First Meeting (1887): The rivalry dates back to the late 19th century, with the first game between Notre Dame and Indiana taking place in 1887. This was in the early days of college football, long before either program became national powerhouses.
- Intermittent Matchups: The teams met sporadically in the early 20th century, but there was no sustained rivalry. The games were often regional matchups without the high stakes or regularity of more prominent rivalries for either team.
Notre Dame Dominance:
- Notre Dame’s Early Success: As Notre Dame’s football program became a national power in the 1920s and beyond, Indiana’s football program did not experience the same level of success. This resulted in Notre Dame dominating the series, particularly in the mid-20th century.
- Overall Record: Historically, Notre Dame has had the upper hand in the rivalry. As of the latest meetings, Notre Dame leads the all-time series. The Hoosiers, who are part of the Big Ten Conference, have typically struggled to compete with Notre Dame, which is an independent team with a rich tradition of success.
Notable Games:
- 1940s-1960s: During the mid-20th century, Notre Dame consistently fielded strong teams that were regularly competing for national championships. Indiana, on the other hand, was not as competitive, leading to several lopsided victories for Notre Dame.
- Recent Matchups: The teams have faced each other more frequently in recent decades, although they still do not play every year. Most of the games in the 21st century have been played as non-conference matchups or as part of a scheduling rotation. The games have been competitive at times, with Indiana occasionally challenging Notre Dame, but the Irish have usually come out on top.
- The 1991 Game: One of the more famous recent matchups occurred in 1991 when Notre Dame traveled to Bloomington to face Indiana. The Hoosiers nearly pulled off an upset, but Notre Dame won the game 24–14. This game was significant for the close scoreline, but overall, Notre Dame’s dominance has been clear.
The Rivalry Today:
- Occasional Matchups: The rivalry has not been a consistent annual event due to the scheduling patterns of both schools. While both teams are located in the state of Indiana, Notre Dame has a long history of scheduling teams from across the country, and Indiana has been more focused on Big Ten play. Still, the games, when they do occur, are often highly anticipated by local fans due to the proximity and the regional significance.
- Big Ten and Independent Status: Indiana plays in the Big Ten, while Notre Dame is an independent program, so the two schools are not always aligned in their scheduling. This has limited the frequency of matchups between the two teams in recent decades.
All-Time Record
- Notre Dame leads the series with a commanding record, having won the majority of the matchups. The games have often been competitive, but Notre Dame’s superior football tradition and resources have generally been the deciding factors.
Summary:
While the rivalry between Notre Dame and Indiana is not as intense or historic as some of the other major college football rivalries (e.g., Notre Dame vs. USC or Indiana vs. Purdue), it still holds significance, particularly in the context of Indiana’s place in the Big Ten and Notre Dame’s national stature. Historically, the Fighting Irish have dominated the series, but occasional competitive games have kept the rivalry relevant in the eyes of fans in Indiana and beyond.
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