Blue & Gold has compiled 20 individual picks from nine national affiliates for Friday’s College Football Playoff first-round game between Notre Dame (11-1) and Indiana (11-1). All but one chose the Fighting Irish to win the football game.

Here are all the national tips.

Tribune report: Notre Dame 24, Indiana 16

David Kenyon: For me, this entire match comes down to how well Indiana’s offense plays against Notre Dame’s defense.

During the regular season, Michigan and Ohio State were IU’s toughest opponents. In the 20-15 win against UM and the 38-15 loss against Ohio State, the offense managed 246 and 151 yards, respectively.

Notre Dame has only given up more than 16 points twice all season.

The bright side for Indiana is one of those moments in ND’s last game, a 49-35 win at rival USC to close out November. But that’s not exactly a trend leaning in IU’s favor.

I trust this strong ND defense to keep IU’s offense in check in a cold, low-scoring game to start the weekend.

The Sports News: Notre Dame 28, Indiana 24

Bill Bender: An interstate battle opens the College Football Playoff. Indiana has allowed 2.5 yards per carry this season, and this run defense is led by the Irish trio of Riley Leonard (721 yards, 5.8 ypc.), Jeremiyah Love (949 yards, 7.1 ypc.) and Jadarian Price (651 , 7.3 Ypc.) put to the test.). Kurtis Rourke will test an opportunistic Notre Dame secondary, and the Hoosiers will also need to get the running game in order. It was a dream season for Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. Will it continue against the Irish? Notre Dame has covered in each of its last seven games, but this one remains closer.

USA Today: Notre Dame 28, Indiana 20

Eddie Timanus: Notre Dame’s poor performance against Northern Illinois in Week 2 now seems like a lifetime ago. The Fighting Irish have only had one close encounter since then, so it’s fair to wonder how they’ll handle a thrilling finale to the game. The Hoosiers were only able to keep up with Ohio State for about a quarter and a half, although they did manage to fend off the same Michigan team that made the Buckeyes miserable a few weeks later. We’re taking on the Irish on their home court, but it should be a fun ride.

The Associated Press: Notre Dame 28, Indiana 17

Eric Olson: An idyllic setting for the start of the 12-team playoff era: Notre Dame Stadium for a matchup of two Hoosier State teams that traditionally reside on opposite ends of the college football world.

The surging Hoosiers didn’t fare well in their biggest stretch of the regular season, losing by 23 points at Ohio State. In South Bend, the spotlight will be even brighter. Indiana can win if Notre Dame’s defense, which allowed Southern California 35 points and 577 yards, shows up and if the Hoosiers’ top-ranked run defense keeps Riley Leonard, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price in check. It’s hard to imagine both happening.

On3

Andy Staples: Fighting Irish
Ari Wasserman: Fighting Irish

FOX Sports

Sheet Litman: Fight against Irish
RJ Young: Fighting Irish
Michael Cohen: Fighting Irish

CBS Sports

Dennis Dodd: Fighting Irish
Tom Fornelli: Fighting Irish
Chip Patterson: Fighting Irish
Shehan Jeyarajah: Fight against Irish
Jerry Palm: Fighting Irish
Brandon Marcello: Fighting Irish
Richard Johnson: Fighting Irish

Note: Patterson, Jeyarajah, Marcello and Johnson all pick Indiana to cover the 7.5 point spread.

Athlon sport

Steve Lassan: Fight against Irish
Kyle Wood: Fighting Irish

Max Chadwick: Notre Dame 31, Indiana 21
Indiana’s run defense has been spectacular all year, but it has also never faced an attack as lethal as Notre Dame’s. The Fighting Irish will rely on their running game and pass rush to pull off a win in South Bend as they take on Indiana. Notre Dame plays Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Dalton Wasserman: Indiana 27, Notre Dame 24
The Hoosiers need to do three things in this game if they want to win: contain the run, force Riley Leonard past his first read and protect themselves from blitzes. I expect them to do just enough of all three to get a win