Christmas might be around the corner, but Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard isn’t looking for hot cocoa and cozy blankets. The Alabama native—yep, the guy who probably doesn’t even own a winter coat—shrugged off the bitter Indiana cold like it’s no big deal. The Fighting Irish are about to battle in-state rival Indiana Hoosiers in South Bend for the first round of the 12-team playoff on December 21.

Forecast? Bone-chilling 18°F with snow in the mix. Riley Leonard? “That’d be pretty cool, right? Makes for some cool pictures or something. I don’t really care. The snow’s great,” he said. Bruh’s got ice in his veins, literally. And he’s earned that confidence. Riley’s stats are anything but mid. This dude’s been cooking all season, throwing for over 2,090 yards with 16 touchdowns and just 5 picks. But that’s not even the half of it. The Dude’s more like a runner than a traditional Indiana pocket guy.

Riley Leonard’s a certified dual-threat G, rushing for over 740 yards and 14 touchdowns. When Notre Dame’s offense gets rolling, it’s through him and his two 1-2 punch backfield. Marcus Freeman literally hit the jackpot, snagging this Duke transfer, who slid into the Irish playbook smoother than butter on a biscuit. Now, he’s gearing up to face Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers, a team that flipped from a depressing 3-9 last year to an 11-1 Cinderella squad.

Let’s talk about the Hoosiers for a sec. Curt Cignetti didn’t just turn things around—he hit warp speed. Taking over a program in shambles, he molded them into a powerhouse in just one year. That’s diabolical. You’ve got to respect the hustle. The man made a serious bag, too. But here’s the thing: history is not on Indiana’s side. Notre Dame holds a 23-6 edge in this rivalry that’s been brewing since the 1890s. And get this—the Hoosiers haven’t beaten the Irish since the 1950s. You’d think Cignetti would be sweating through his pants, but his squad doesn’t care about the past. They’re playing like a team that’s got nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Still, this game ain’t just about history or fairy tales. It’s about which team can handle the grind. Both defenses are straight fire—Notre Dame’s ranked third in points allowed, and Indiana is sixth. But the offenses? That’s where the game flips. Notre Dame’s ground game is their bread and butter, with Leonard leading the charge. Indiana is more about that air attack, leaning on their QB to sling it. This game is a classic unstoppable force that meets an immovable object situation, and the freezing South Bend atmosphere might just tip the scales.

Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame vs. Curt Cignetti’s Indiana: what can we expect?

Now, let’s cut to the scene. South Bend, Indiana, is not the place you want to mess around in December. It’ll freeze you to your core. See, the Fighting Irish have turned their home field into a fortress, and Marcus Freeman knows how to run that crowd energy. The Hoosiers? They’ll need to adjust fast to the bitter cold and roaring Irish faithful if they want any shot at pulling off the upset. It’s going to be a run-fest for Marcus Freeman’s squad.

But here’s the kicker—this matchup ain’t just about X’s and O’s. It’s about winter mentality. Leonard’s confidence is diabolical; the man’s said ‘Bring on the snow‘ and Freeman is already singing Indiana’s praises. “They play, as I often say, with the clarity that you look for,” the Irish head coach said. “It’s a team that plays fast, a team that understands what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, how they’re doing it.” High praise, sure, but let’s not forget—Freeman’s squad is just as sharp. He’s just being too nice with praises.

For Indiana, this is a shot at redemption, a chance to rewrite their history. For Notre Dame, it’s about proving that they belong among the playoff’s elite. One thing’s for sure—this game is about to be one for the books. So grab your popcorn, bundle up, and get ready for some good old-fashioned Midwest football. May the best ice-cold team win.