Notre Dame and Georgia square off in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The game kicks off at 8:45 PM ET on January 1, 2025. The top-seeded Fighting Irish enter with a 12-1 record after defeating Indiana in the first round, while second-seeded Georgia boasts an 11-2 record and earned a bye into the quarterfinals.
This marks the first playoff meeting between these storied programs since their regular-season clash in 2019, where Georgia narrowly defeated Notre Dame 23-17. Both teams are motivated to advance to the semifinals, with Notre Dame riding an 11-game winning streak and Georgia preparing to adjust to a new quarterback under high stakes.
Notre Dame Preview – Fighting to Maintain Momentum
Notre Dame comes into the Sugar Bowl after a dominant 27-17 victory over Indiana in the first round of the playoffs. Quarterback Riley Leonard has been instrumental for the Fighting Irish, throwing for 2,293 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. Running back Jeremiyah Love leads the ground attack with 1,057 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
Defensively, Notre Dame has excelled at creating turnovers, ranking among the top in fumble recoveries and sacks. While the team will miss defensive tackle Rylie Mills due to injury, Howard Cross III returns to bolster the defensive line. Notre Dame’s ability to control the line of scrimmage will be crucial against Georgia’s physical offense.
Notre Dame’s coaching staff, led by Marcus Freeman, has emphasized preparation for Georgia’s versatile quarterback Gunner Stockton. Freeman’s defense will aim to contain Stockton’s mobility and force Georgia to rely on their rushing attack.
Georgia Preview – Adjusting on the Fly
Georgia faces a significant challenge after losing starting quarterback Carson Beck to an elbow injury in the SEC Championship. Sophomore Gunner Stockton will take the reins for the Bulldogs, having completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards in relief against Texas. Freshman running back Nate Frazier leads the Georgia rushing attack with 634 yards and eight touchdowns.
Coach Kirby Smart has emphasized the importance of giving Stockton added reps to prepare for this high-pressure matchup. Despite Stockton’s limited experience, Georgia’s offense will aim to lean on their rushing game and a strong offensive line to manage the clock and control field position.
Defensively, Georgia’s front seven will look to disrupt Notre Dame’s balanced offense. Injuries to key players, including defensive lineman Chris Miller and running back Roderick Robinson, may test Georgia’s depth. However, Smart’s squad remains disciplined and prepared for the challenge.
Betting Prediction
The spread is set at Notre Dame -1 with a total of 46.5 points. Notre Dame’s balanced offense and momentum give them the edge, while Georgia’s quarterback uncertainty raises questions. Expect the Fighting Irish to take advantage of Stockton’s inexperience and control the game on both sides of the ball.
A predicted score of 24-20 in favor of Notre Dame suggests taking the under on the total and backing the Irish to cover the spread.
Pick: Notre Dame -1, Under 46.5
