The pressure is on Notre Dame, maybe that’s a good thing.

Notre Dame’s draw against Indiana in the first round of the CFP created many interesting and complicated layers of perceptual and practical considerations that would not exist if the Irish’s opponent were another team.

Between Notre Dame’s historical perception as a state football powerhouse and Indiana football being largely a non-entity, and Freeman’s recently announced contract extension, the pressure is on Notre- Lady to keep her promises at this time.

While I firmly believe this pressure exists and is real, Notre Dame has been under pressure for most of this year and has not flinched. With their playoff lives on the wall since week two, the Irish haven’t lost since, dominating just about everyone along the way.

This team seems to be immune to pressure as that has been the default setting all season. Freeman’s teams respond well to pressure and will need it again.

Which team will be able to instill its will in the other?

Notre Dame’s easiest path to victory in this game is to pass the ball with Jeremiah Love, Jadarian Price and Riley Leonard while playing its usual lockdown defense.

Can the Irish line up and play some breathtaking offensive football or will Indiana sell out to crush the line of scrimmage, forcing the Irish to get more creative offensively?

Defensively, if the Irish can contain the running game and make Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke uncomfortable in the pocket, Notre Dame is well on its way to victory. These two teams come into the game full of confidence and with coaches that the players all want to play hard for.

The harsh reality is that one of these teams is going to find out the hard way that they’re not as good as they think they are. Whichever team delivers this high-profile moment will soon have a date with a talented but far from perfect Georgia team.

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