Big Week of Football in Hoosier State

Basketball is by far the most popular sport in the state of Indiana, but football will take center stage this weekend.

Three of the most popular teams in the state are set to play in three different meaningful football games.

Bowl season is wrapping up in college football, and Week 17 of the NFL season is upon us. There is a chance for three straight wins by Indiana football teams, which could lead to even more fun in the coming weeks.

Here is a look at each of the three matchups facing Indiana football teams this weekend.

Colts Still Have Playoff Hopes

The Indianapolis Colts still have a chance to win the AFC South this season, or at least qualify for the playoffs as a Wild Card team. In order to do this, the Colts must take care of business against the 1-14 Jacksonville Jaguars.

Indianapolis blew a huge lead in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now they will need some help from other teams. There are a handful of teams that can lose and give the Colts a chance, but nothing matters unless they win on Sunday.

Jacksonville has now lost 14 straight games, but their lone win of the season was against the Colts in the season opener. Indianapolis will have revenge on their mind on Sunday, and then the Colts will be watching the scoreboard to see if they are getting the help they need.

Notre Dame Takes on Alabama

On New Year’s Day, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl Game. This game has been moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Pasadena, Calif., but it will still have plenty of pageantry.

Notre Dame is a 20.5-point underdog against Alabama, and the Fighting Irish are looking to regroup in a hurry. Notre Dame suffered a blowout loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, and trying to stop the offense from Alabama is a big concern.

A win in the Rose Bowl Game would land Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Championship Game against either Ohio State or Clemson. The Fighting Irish will be looking to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season.

Hoosiers in Outback Bowl

The Indiana Hoosiers had one of the best seasons in school history, and it has earned them a spot in the Outback Bowl. The 6-1 Hoosiers will take on the 4-5 Ole Miss Rebels from the SEC.

Indiana’s lone loss of the season came against the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Hoosiers actually had the football with a chance to tie in that one. Indiana was kept out of the Big Ten Championship Game and never realistically had a shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.

The Hoosiers will be without star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as he is lost for the season due to injury. Indiana is an eight-point favorite over Ole Miss in this bowl game.

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