​Notre Dame dominates Indiana in first round of College Football Playoff: Live reaction and updates

Notre Dame opened the season asking its defense to carry it, which it did almost every week until Thanksgiving. The Irish asked their defense to do the same to open the postseason. Again it answered the bell, holding Indiana to 17 points while the Hoosiers barely threatened the goal line just before a first-quarter drive that ended with a Xavier Watts interception.

It was a near-perfect game plan from defensive coordinator Al Golden, who increased the pressure on Kurtis Rourke early and never allowed the Indiana quarterback to get comfortable. Notre Dame’s defensive line had a lot to do with it, as Howard Cross’ return from an ankle sprain overwhelmed Indiana’s offensive line. Although the Irish were without defensive tackle Rylie Mills and defensive end Bryce Young due to injuries during the game, it didn’t play a major role.

Indiana, the second-best offense in the country during the regular season with 43.3 points per game, had no chance.

The performance erased Notre Dame’s struggles at USC three weeks ago, when the Irish were torn apart through the air until the game ended with consecutive pick-sixes. The performance was enough to make one wonder whether Notre Dame had ultimately been overused, relying on underclassmen in the secondary while a pass rush lost steam.

Not quite.

Indiana barely shot against Notre Dame.

The Irish will be tested to a new level in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia and the growing injury list will be a concern. But in the final home game of the season, Notre Dame put another performance on tape that suggests it has a national championship-caliber defense.