Source: CBS Sports
Summary
The Indiana Hoosiers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish canceled a 2030-31 home-and-home series. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti expressed disappointment but also criticized Notre Dame’s scheduling. Cignetti said Indiana should host Notre Dame twice, as the Fighting Irish are not in a conference. Indiana won the national championship in its second year under Cignetti, going 27-2 overall and 17-1 in Big Ten play. Notre Dame finished 10-2 last season but missed the College Football Playoff. The teams last met in 2024, with Notre Dame winning 27-17. Indiana is 5-24-1 all-time against Notre Dame.
Our Reading
This one felt recognizable early.
Cignetti wanted a rematch, but Notre Dame didn’t want to play. Indiana’s new power status brings new demands. Notre Dame’s independence still feels like an excuse. The Hoosiers still can’t beat the Irish, even after the title.
Old rivalries don’t die. They just get postponed. Cignetti’s not happy, but he’s still the guy with the title. Notre Dame’s still the team that won’t schedule Indiana. The numbers don’t lie. Indiana’s got the record, but Notre Dame’s got the history.
It’s not just about the game. It’s about who’s in the conference. Notre Dame’s not in one, so they don’t have to play. Indiana’s in one, so they have to. The rules are clear. The excuses are familiar.
The result wasn’t surprising by the end.
Author: Evan Null
Indiana’s New Power, Old Rivalry
Indiana is now a national power, but the Hoosiers still can’t beat Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish remain the team that refuses to schedule them, even as the Hoosiers win championships. The all-time series is lopsided, with Indiana going 5-24-1 against Notre Dame. The last time Indiana beat Notre Dame was in 1950, and that was in Bloomington. The Hoosiers are now the defending national champions, but they still can’t get a home-and-home series with Notre Dame.
Cignetti’s Frustration, Notre Dame’s Excuse
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti is frustrated that the Hoosiers and Notre Dame canceled their 2030-31 series. Cignetti said Notre Dame should come to Indiana twice, as the Fighting Irish are not in a conference. He called it a “great in-state game” and hinted at a “backstory.” The Fighting Irish, however, have not shown interest in playing Indiana regularly. Notre Dame’s independence allows them to pick and choose opponents, and Indiana is not high on their list.
Notre Dame’s Schedule, Indiana’s Schedule
Notre Dame is an independent program, which gives them more flexibility in scheduling. They can choose who they play, and they have not made Indiana a priority. Meanwhile, Indiana is in the Big Ten, which requires them to play a set schedule. The Hoosiers are now a powerhouse, but they still can’t get Notre Dame to commit to a regular series. The Fighting Irish have not played Indiana since 2024, and they don’t plan to do so in the near future.
The 2024 Playoff Matchup
The last time Indiana and Notre Dame met was in the 2024 College Football Playoff, where Notre Dame won 27-17. That game was played in South Bend, and it was the first matchup between the two teams since 1991. The Hoosiers are still looking for their first win against Notre Dame since 1950. The loss in the playoff was a bitter one for Indiana, and it’s still fresh in the minds of fans and players alike.
2026 Schedules, No Meeting in Sight
Indiana opens its 2026 season against North Texas on Sept. 5, and Notre Dame opens against Wisconsin on Sept. 6. The two teams are not scheduled to meet in 2026, and there’s no indication that they will play in the near future. The Hoosiers are now the reigning national champions, but they still can’t get a series with Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish remain the team that refuses to schedule them, and the Hoosiers are left waiting for a rematch that may never come.
