In the first game of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format, Marcus Freeman led his Notre Dame team to victory, taking down Indiana 27–17 on Friday. Though the score ended with Notre Dame taking a 10-point win on the scoreboard, the Fighting Irish took control of the game early on. After quarterback Riley Leonard started a game with an interception, Notre Dame's defense forced an interception of Indiana Kurtis Rourke. The Fighting Irish responded on their next offensive possession with a 98-yard touchdown run from Jeremiyah Love to claim a 7–0 lead. From then on, Notre Dame held the lead.
Despite a resounding defeat of Indiana, Freeman was complimentary of Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and his program.
