Notre Dame vs. Georgia Prediction: Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff Odds, Picks and Best Bets
The Sugar Bowl will kick off a day later today with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish taking on the Georgia Bulldogs in New Orleans. Can Riley Leonard and the Irish stay focused and emerge victorious against the banged-up Bulldogs on Thursday afternoon? Matt McCuen provides his prediction and pick for Notre Dame vs. Georgia in the last College Football Playoff Quarterfinal.
Matt McCuen - January 2, 2025, 11:53 AM EST
4 minNotre Dame vs. Georgia Prediction: Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff Odds, Picks and Best Bets
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs will clash for a heavyweight battle this afternoon. Caesar's Superdome will be the site for the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The Irish have posted a record of 12-1. That record earned the Irish the 7th seed in the College Football Playoffs. Head Coach Marcus Freeman has produced his best season yet in South Bend. The strong season earned Freeman a contract extension. Freeman and the Irish have one goal: winning a national championship.
Notre Dame won their first College Football Playoff game when they took down the Indiana Hoosiers on December 20th. The Irish opened up a 27-3 lead over the Hoosiers and never looked back.
Notre Dame has gone 5-0 against top 25 teams this season. The Irish are 0-3 against the Bulldogs head-to-head in their all-time series.
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Notre Dame vs. Georgia Odds
Notre Dame vs. Georgia Date, Time, and Where To Watch
- Date: January 2, 2024
- Time: 4:00 pm ET
- Where To Watch: ESPN
Notre Dame vs. Georgia Prediction
Duke transfer Riley Leonard leads the offense with 2,293 yards, 17 touchdowns, and four picks. Leonard has rushed for 751 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jeremiyah Love leads the ground game with 1,057 yards and 16 touchdowns. Clemson transfer Beaux Collins has racked up 445 yards and two touchdowns. Notre Dame ranks second in points allowed per game (13.8).
Georgia comes into this contest with an 11-2 record. That record earned the Bulldogs a trip to the SEC Championship game. Georgia defeated the Texas Longhorns to claim the SEC Championship.
The Bulldogs did not play their best football this season, but continue to find ways to win. Georgia comes into the postseason as winners of three straight games. The last loss for Georgia came on November 9th against the Ole Miss Rebels on the road.
The big storyline coming into this game is the absence of Carson Beck. Entering the season, Beck was the Heisman trophy favorite and expected first overall pick. Beck was injured on the last play of the first half against Texas, but hadn't lived up to his potential all year.
Tiger, Georgia native Gunnar Stockton has thrown for 206 yards and one pick after taking over for Beck. Stockton attended Rabun County High School, where he was one of the best players in Georgia. Nate Frazier rushed for a team-best 634 yards and eight touchdowns. Arian Smith has racked up a team-leading 750 receiving yards. Georgia ranks 23rd in points allowed per game (21.8).
Notre Dame vs. Georgia Pick
- Pick: Notre Dame ML -110 Get oddschecker+ right now for just $0.99 per month. Don't miss out on this December deal!
The Irish defense will be the difference in this game.
Notre Dame has dominated top-tier opponents this season and will slow down Stockton today.
Stockton has a bright future, but he will struggle in his first college football start against this elite-level defense.
Leonard and the Irish offense will lean on their rushing game and control the pace of this contest.
