ESPN analyst Greg McElroy gives initial impressions of Indiana vs. Notre Dame

Those following the Notre Dame football program won’t be able to get away from ESPN College Football analyst Greg McElroy anytime soon.

On Sunday, ESPN announced that McElroy would be on the call with Sean McDonough and Molly McGrath for the Fighting Irish’s first-round College Football Playoff game against the Indiana Hoosiers. It will be the second time they have covered Notre Dame this season. They broadcasted the Navy game Oct. 26.

Though McElroy has only attended one Irish game this season, he has kept a pulse on the program. Those thoughts have been expressed weekly during his Always College Football show. On Sunday, after the College Football Playoff committee revealed its final rankings, McElroy shared his early analysis of Notre Dame’s matchup against Indiana in his takeaways segment. 

According to McElroy, the Irish should have concerns when they take on the Hoosiers on Dec. 20.

“The long question about Notre Dame has been, can they do it in the playoffs?” McElroy said. “We’ve seen them do it in the regular season. We’ve seen them get to the playoff. But we have yet to see them be super competitive in the playoff. 

“Well, what if Indiana comes out, executes like gangbusters like they have at times this season, and starts to move up and down the field? Then, that vaunted three-headed rushing attack with the two outstanding running backs and the quarterback. What if that great run defense of Indiana contains (Notre Dame quarterback) Riley Leonard and company? What if (running back) Jeremiyah Love can’t break free?

“Think about the pressure that could be felt on the sideline if, for whatever reason, the advantage that Notre Dame thinks they might have in the trenches isn’t there.”

Entering the postseason, Indiana is No. 24 in the nation in total offense (438.8 yards per game) and No. 51 in rushing offense (173.6 yards per game). Its run defense McElroy refers to is No. 1 in FBS, only surrendering 70.8 yards per game. However, Notre Dame’s rushing offense, led by Leonard and Love, ranks No. 10. 

Love and Leonard are also Nos. 5 and 32 in yards per carry (7.08 and 5.81) and Nos. 13 and 22 in rushing touchdowns (15 and 14). They are also among the top 100 in total rushing yards. 

McElroy details Notre Dame football’s flaw

Later in the episode, McElroy discussed how each team has a hole. For the Irish, he mentioned their passing attack.

“I think they’re really good running the football,” he said. “But in the event in which the running game is not super productive, can they beat you with Riley Leonard through the air?”

With Leonard at the helm, the Irish are No. 101 in passing offense (196.4 yards per game) and No. 114 in passing yards per completion (10.96 yards) among 133 teams. Notre Dame’s team passing efficiency does rank No. 38. 

In the game McElroy broadcasted, Leonard completed 13-21 passes for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. With his help, the Irish beat Navy 51-14. Still, in McElroy’s eyes, it will require a better effort if the Irish want to advance to the quarterfinal round against Georgia.