Who are the referees for Notre Dame vs Indiana Playoff game? Officials for CFP game explored

The number seven-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face the tenth-seeded Indiana Hoosiers in the first round of the 2024-25 College Football Playoff. Both teams are coming off an 11-1 regular season, with the Hoosiers being this season's surprise team.

Let's look at the referee crew for this important playoff game.

Who are the officials for Notre Dame vs Indiana?

For the four playoff games this weekend, each of the four "Power Conferences" (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC) will officiate one game each. For the Notre Dame- Indiana game, the officiated crew will be from the Big 12 Conference.

David Alvarez will lead the crew. Alvarez is a highly experienced referee, having officated many high-profile games, including last seasons Music City Bowl between Auburn and Maryland.

The following people will join him.

• Marlow Fitzgerald (Umpire)
• Andy Warner (Head line-judge)
• Kelly Deterding (Line judge)
• Gabriel DeLeon (Field judge)
• Fulton Carson (Side judge)
• Donnie Aultman (Back judge)
• Dan Scanlan (Center judge)
• Kevin Mar (Alternate)
• Gene Semko (Replay official)
• Tony Bates (Replay communicator)

These people are very experienced officiators, many of whom have worked on past high-profile games. This should help ensure that the game is free from any controversial mistakes that may cost either the Fighting Irish or Hoosiers the game.

Key Players to Look Out For

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs the ball against the Army Black Knights during a recent NCAA Football game. (Credits: IMAGN)

A player on the Fighting Irish that should be looked out for during this game is running back Jeremiyah Love. Numbers-wise, he cannot hold a candle to Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, but Love has established himself as a reliable way for Notre Dame to gain yardage. This season, the sophomore has recorded 949 yards and scored 13 touchdowns.

His best performances have come against ranked teams (running for 130 yards against the 22nd-ranked Army) and will threaten the Indiana defense. If quarterback Riley Leonard struggles, expect Love to pick up the pieces to help Notre Dame win.

However, all eyes will be on the Indiana Hoosiers's quarterback, Kurtis Rourke. He has been a key part of their offense all season long and is one of the reasons why the Hoosiers have been able to have their record-breaking season.

Rourke has thrown for 2,827 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, he struggled against ranked opposition, with his worst game of the season coming against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Rourke must have a good game to deliver the upset win and end the long-standing wait for a triumph at South Bend since 1898. However, if the Fighting Irish defense gets to him, the season will end for the Hoosiers.