It’s time for Georgia vs. Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl. That is the official title of the game. It’s a mouthful, but we must ensure the sponsors get their due. It’s been almost a full month since Georgia last took the field, defeating Texas in the SEC Championship. Georgia and Notre Dame are two of the most storied programs in college football. They don’t have much of a shared history on the field. They have played before in New Orleans. Georgia defeated Notre Dame 17-10 in the 1981 Sugar Bowl, securing Georgia’s 1980 National Championship. That was Georgia’s last National Championship before they won it all in 2021 and 2022.
The two teams also played a home-and-home series in 2017 and 2019. Who can forget Dawg Nation turning the stands in Notre Dame Stadium red in 2017? Or Terry Godwin’s one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone? Two years later, the Hedges were rocking, and Jake Fromm and Georgia knocked off Notre Dame in an epic Saturday night clash. J.R. ended the Irish’s hope of a comeback when he picked off an attempted flea-flicker to seal the game for the Dawgs. Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl should be just as entertaining as the first three meetings. Let’s take a closer look at the matchup.
Between the Hedges: Georgia vs. Notre Dame
What are the game details?
Bowl: CFB Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
History: Georgia leads the series 3-0.
Last meeting: Georgia defeated Notre Dame 23-17 Between the Hedges in 2019.
Stakes: The winner moves on to the CFB Playoff Semifinals to face either Penn State or Boise State.
Location: Caesars Superdome
Television: ABC
Spread: Georgia -1.5
What Should You Know About Notre Dame?
Georgia will have to contend with a mobile quarterback yet again. Mobile quarterbacks mean you can’t pin your ears back and get after the passer. Instead, you need to keep containment and limit the damage the quarterback can do. Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart, and Hayne King were all mobile quarterbacks that gave the Georgia defense fits this year.
Riley Leonard is in the same mold. The transfer from Duke has done an excellent job this year in giving himself extra time and finding key first-downs with his legs. Notre Dame prides itself on the run, and Kirby Smart shared last week how Leonard’s legs bring unique challenges. “Those guys are tremendously talented and do a great job. I mean, (they) use all of them, too. And then when you throw the skill set of Riley (Leonard) in there, the quarterback, it just makes it that much tougher to defend because they have multiple weapons, multiple options, and they’re really physical. I mean, they’re committed to it. They’re very committed to the run.”
Marcus Freeman has also done a nice job of bolstering the Irish on both lines of scrimmage. Smart called Notre Dame’s physicality in the offense and defense trenches incredible last week. We spoke earlier about how the offensive line has enabled Notre Dame to run when they want. The Irish defense has been impressive as well. They have done a masterful job grounding most running games to a halt this season.
Gunner Stockton is QB1
Georgia will have a new QB1 for the first time in two years. Carson Beck’s season is over after suffering a UCL injury in the SEC Championship. Beck also announced this weekend that he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft. Gunner Stockton is in as the starter. It won’t be the first time a young Georgia quarterback will make a big start on the road in a tough environment. Fromm’s first road start was against the Irish in 2017. Unlike Fromm, Stockton is not a Freshman and did have to come in to help lead Georgia to the win over Texas in Atlanta. The first-round bye has enabled Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to build a game plan around Stockton’s strengths. Look for Stockton’s legs to challenge the Irish’s stout defense.
Who wins Georgia vs. Notre Dame?
Let’s make #4 sweet for the Dawgs as well. Look for this to be a perfect end to the Quarterfinal matchup. Stockton’s legs allow him to break one late to send Georgia back to the semifinals.
Georgia 24
Notre Dame 17
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