When Indiana kicks off the 12-team College Football Playoff at Notre Dame, it will be led by a Canadian. That's rarer than you think.

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass with offensive lineman Mike Katic (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Donovan James of Hoosier State of Mind to help break down which Indiana players that the Irish will need to be aware of later this evening. James gave me five Hoosiers that have stood out this fall, on both sides of the ball. Find out below who James singled out, and more importantly, who Notre Dame needs to stop.

The No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers will take on the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It’s the first playoff game to kick off the 12-team College Playoff Football this w

He landed on 23-year-old Kurtis Rourke, the 2022 Mid-American Conference MVP. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman had a far simpler pitch to former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard —

For the Irish to defeat the Hoosiers, they’ll have to play one of their better games of the year. Here are five keys to a Notre Dame victory in the College Football Playoff. Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) runs from the Ohio State Buckeyes defense in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.