BLOOMINGTON – In the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff, Indiana and Notre Dame will take center stage for the first act.
THE Hoosiers And IrishThe No. 10 and No. 7 seeds, respectively, will face off in the first of four first-round matches on campus, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Dec. 20 in South Bend.
This will be the programs’ first meeting in more than 30 years, since the Irish beat IU in the 1991 season opener, 49-27. Marcus Freeman’s team overcame an early-season loss to Northern Illinois to become one of the toughest ground attacks in the country and one of the most dominant defenses.
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Who does Indiana have to worry about as it turns its gaze north? Here are five players to watch
Riley Leonard, quarterback
It starts, as is often the case, behind center. Leonard, a transfer from Duke, has been a solid passer this season, but excels in a dual capacity. He finished the regular season with 2,813 total yards and 30 combined rushing and passing touchdowns.
Leonard was a solidly efficient passer, completing 66.2% of his throws with 16 touchdowns to just five interceptions. But he changed games with his ability to mix things up on the ground, rushing for 5.8 yards per carry on 124, with 14 rushing touchdowns.
Notre Dame runs one of the best rushing attacks in the country, and Leonard pulls a lot of the strings. He will likely be the best dual-threat quarterback Indiana has had so far this season.
In a force-on-strength matchup, corralling the quarterback will be the first task for Bryant Haines’ defense.
Jeremiah Love, running back
If Leonard is the brains of the running game, Love is the heart. Or vice versa. You get the idea. The second-highest rated running back in America, Pro Football Focus reported, Love had 949 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry, top 20 nationally. And he also ranked among the best receivers in the country.
Much of Mike Denbrock’s offense revolves around Notre Dame’s strength running the ball. Having such a capable quarterback helps in that regard, both in terms of passing efficiency and rushing efficiency. But it also works because of the backs, and Love is the best the Irish have.
But he is not the only one.
Jadarian Price, running back
Price, who also ranks well above average in the ground game, has shared the load effectively with Love this season, carrying the ball 89 times for 651 yards and seven touchdowns. Like Love, Price had a long run of over 70 yards, and like Love, Price averaged over seven yards per carry.
Notre Dame is one of the leaders in the country, not only in terms of efficiency, but also in explosiveness. In particular, the Irish are able to pull off longer runs (20, 30 and over 40 meters) at a promising pace.
And it’s not limited to just one return. They can turn while remaining dangerous.
Xavier Watts, security
One of the best players in the country at his position, Watts is as big a game changer as anyone Notre Dame will put on the field defensively.
He is third among teammates in tackles, tied for first with eight passes defensed, and his five interceptions are tied for third nationally. Watts had one defensive touchdown this season, and he both forced and recovered a fumble.
The Irish are second to James Madison in turnover margin this season, and they are tied with Texas for first in total turnovers won (28). Seventeen (17) of those 28 are interceptions, coming from an exceptionally dangerous secondary. Watts is the tip of this spear.
Jack Kiser, linebacker
Rylie Mills leads all Notre Dame defenders with 6.5 sacks, but Kiser, IndyStar Mr. Football 2018leads the way with 64 tackles and 37 solo stops (also leading among Irish defenders).
Remember, Notre Dame’s head coach is a solid defensive mind, and Kiser — now in his sixth season in South Bend — is among Marcus Freeman’s most reliable players.
Kiser also had a sack and a forced fumble this season, as well as two recoveries. But more broadly, he is a solid, experienced and stable presence at the heart of one of the best defenses Indiana is bound to see in the postseason.
It gets even more difficult when you go that high. THE Hoosiers you better be ready.
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This article was originally published on the Indianapolis Star: Indiana vs Notre Dame in CFP: 5 Irish players IU needs to worry about
