Notre Dame faces Indiana in a critical matchup. Here are 3 reasons why the Irish should be concerned heading into the game.

The College Football Playoff first round will see the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) hosting the No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) at 8 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

Notre Dame has been one of the nation's best pass defenses over the last two seasons, with Ohio State, Northern Illinois and the Irish being the only three defenses to rank in the Top 10 in pass defense in each of the last two seasons. Only the Irish and Buckeyes ranked in the Top 5 in each season.

Strengths will be tested in the College Football Playoff first-round game between No. 7 seed Notre Dame, which has a dynamic run game, and No. 10 seed Indiana.

First-year Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti brought along 13 of his former James Madison Dukes in a 31-player transfer haul last offseason.

Will the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish be on the field as college football bowl games begin? Not this weekend, they won't. The Irish will remain idle until their first-round College Football Playoff matchup against the No.

According to early reporting, Indiana might get its hype video and entrance music played in Notre Dame Stadium for the 20th matchup between the Hoosiers and Irish. Given that this is the first iteration of the on-campus games,

Indiana received the 10 seed in the College Football Playoff and will take on No. 7 Notre Dame in the first round. Get to know the Fighting Irish.

The Battle of Indiana is a hot ticket to kick off the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff, as the 10th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers visit the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend.

Notre Dame and Indiana stand out among CFP contenders by leading in a key stat that could shape the playoff race.

Indiana travels to Notre Dame in a first-round College Football Playoff game. A breakdown of the matchups when the Fighting Irish face the Hoosiers.