When the College Football Playoff (CFP) matchups were announced yesterday, Notre Dame found itself hosting instate foe Indiana in a matchup no one could have predicted back in September. The Fighting Irish initially opened as sizable favorites over the upstart Hoosiers, with the line opening at -8.5 for Notre Dame before quickly moving to -7.5 and holding steady since then. The immediate adjustment suggests that while Notre Dame enters as the clear favorite, early bettors see enough value in taking Indiana and the points to move the line.
Below, we’ll break down the key factors influencing this evolving betting line, highlighting recent performances, key statistical insights, and some betting trends for both teams heading into the first ever playoff game in Notre Dame Stadium.