Ever driven from Bloomington to South Bend? It's about three hours of cornfields and state roads. You'd think two of the biggest brands in a sports-crazy state would be at each other's throats every single November. But honestly, the Indiana Hoosiers football vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football matchup is one of the strangest "rivalries" in the country because it barely exists.
They’re neighbors who don't talk.
While the basketball teams have plenty of history (and plenty of noise), the football programs have spent most of the last century pretending the other doesn't exist. It’s kinda weird. When they finally do meet, like that wild College Football Playoff clash in December 2024, the whole state basically stops.
Why Don't They Play?
People ask this all the time. If Purdue plays Notre Dame for a Shillelagh Trophy, why doesn't Indiana?
Money. Mostly.
For decades, Indiana football was... well, it wasn't great. They used to literally sell home games to other schools just to keep the lights on for the basketball program. Notre Dame, meanwhile, was busy being a national powerhouse. The Irish schedule usually focuses on "national" games—think USC, Stanford, or Navy—and they only have so many slots for Big Ten teams. Usually, those slots go to Purdue or Michigan State because of century-old ties.
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Basically, Indiana was "beneath" the Irish for a long time. That’s not me being mean; it’s just the historical vibe. Notre Dame is a private school with a "big city" feel in South Bend, while IU is the quintessential public state school. They represent two different versions of Indiana.
That 1991 Game Everyone Remembers
Before the 2024 playoff game, you have to go all the way back to September 7, 1991, to find a meeting. This was a massive deal because it was the very first "Notre Dame Saturday" on NBC.
The Irish won 49-27, but the game was closer than the score looks. Indiana’s Trent Green—yeah, that Trent Green—was under center for the Hoosiers. He actually threw four interceptions that day, which is the kind of stat that haunts a guy. On the other side, Jerome Bettis and Rick Mirer were tearing it up for Lou Holtz.
The highlight of that game? Irv Smith catching a pass and dragging three Indiana defenders about 30 yards. It’s one of those clips they still play on the jumbotron at Notre Dame Stadium.
The All-Time Numbers
Look, the record is lopsided. There’s no point in sugarcoating it.
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- Total Games Played: 30
- Notre Dame Wins: 24
- Indiana Wins: 5
- Ties: 1
Most of Indiana’s wins came back when Theodore Roosevelt was President. We’re talking 1898, 1900, 1905, and 1906. Their only "modern" win (if you can call it that) was in 1950, when they beat the Irish 20-7.
The 2024 Playoff Shift
The narrative finally changed on December 20, 2024. This wasn't a "buy game" or a season opener. It was the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Indiana, led by Curt Cignetti, had just finished an insane 11-1 regular season. They were the Cinderella story of the country. Notre Dame was the #7 seed, playing at home in a freezing South Bend night. The Irish ended up winning 27-17, but the game proved that Indiana could actually hang on the same field as the "Golden Domers."
It felt like the start of something new. For the first time, fans weren't just cheering for "IU basketball and ND football." They were forced to pick a side.
Looking Ahead: 2030 and Beyond
If you're waiting for the next Indiana Hoosiers football vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game, you’re going to have to be patient.
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As of right now, the two schools have a home-and-home series scheduled for 2030 and 2031.
- August 31, 2030: Indiana travels to South Bend.
- September 27, 2031: Notre Dame makes the rare trip down to Bloomington.
Until then, the battle is mostly happening in the transfer portal. Just this week, in January 2026, we’ve seen both teams fighting over the same defensive tackle prospects. Notre Dame just landed Francis Brewu from Pitt to bolster their 2026 roster, while Indiana is trying to keep pace with their own portal haul.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a fan of either program, here is how you should approach this "rivalry" over the next few seasons:
- Monitor the 2030 Scheduling: These dates are set, but in the era of conference realignment, nothing is set in stone. Keep an eye on Big Ten/SEC scheduling changes that might bump non-conference games.
- Watch the Portal: Since they don't play on the field, the "win" happens in recruiting. The 2026 cycle is huge for both; Notre Dame is currently averaging higher-rated transfers (84.67 per On3) compared to Indiana (76.17).
- Travel Planning: If you plan on going to the 2030 game at Notre Dame, book your hotel in South Bend at least 18 months in advance. Prices triple for "in-state" games because the demand is local.
The gap between these two programs is closing. Indiana isn't the "easy win" they were in the 90s, and Marcus Freeman’s Irish are finding out that the state of Indiana might finally be big enough for two powerhouse football teams.
Check the official IU and Notre Dame athletics sites for any surprise additions to the 2027-2029 schedules, though a mid-season "neutral site" game in Indianapolis is always a rumored possibility.