ATHENS — Notre Dame fans made it clear they wanted Georgia on Friday. They will now get to play Georgia in the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame came away with a 27-17 win over Indiana on Friday night. The game was played at Notre Dame, as all first round games are played on campus.
The Bulldogs do have a recent history with the Fighting Irish, having last met in 2019. The Bulldogs won that game at home, beating Notre Dame when it was coached by Brian Kelly. Georgia is 3-0 all-time against Notre Dame, including a win in the 1981 Sugar Bowl that won Georgia the national championship.
Notre Dame is now 12-1 on the season, with the lone loss coming against Northern Illinois back in Week 2. The Fighting Irish have been keyed by a strong defense that ranked third in yards per play allowed and sixth in scoring defense entering the Indiana game.
Offensively, Notre Dame is powered by quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jeremiah Love. Love had a 98-yard touchdown run in the win. Notre Dame has three players that have over 600 rushing yards on the season. Marcus Freeman is Notre Dame’s head coach.
From a schedule standpoint, Indiana was the first College Football Playoff opponent that the Fighting Irish had faced this season. Georgia by comparison has played four games against playoff teams. Notre Dame’s most impressive regular season win was a road win over Texas A&M. Notre Dame does have a 31-13 win over Georgia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets were without starting quarterback Haynes King in that game.
Georgia had a first-round bye, thanks to its 22-19 win over Texas in the SEC Championship game. That has given most of the Georgia team the chance to heal and improve following a difficult SEC slate, as well as non-conference games against Clemson and Georgia Tech.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart spoke about preparing for both teams in the run up to the game when speaking on College GameDay.
”It’s been really unique,” Smart said. “It’s been an adventure. Our offensive and defensive staff, and special teams, have had to break down both teams. Not to mention handle the portal and portal visitors and guys going into the portal and coming out of the portal. I’ve talked to several coaches that are playing today and tomorrow, and it’s been a nightmare for them because they’ve had to prep for this game while also trying to maintain their roster for next year. But we took Notre Dame and Purdue (sic), I’m sorry, Notre Dame and Indiana and we worked on both those teams. We worked a day on each. I’m looking forward to this matchup because both teams are very different.”
Georgia is expected to be without starting quarterback Carson Beck for not just the Sugar Bowl but the entirety of the College Football Playoff after sustaining an elbow injury in the win over Texas. Gunner Stockton is likely to start in place of Beck.
Stockton completed 12 of his 16 pass attempts for 71 yards and an interception in the win. He added 8 rushing yards as well.
“When Gunner Stockton stepped on the field, I had no doubt,” Walker said. “I came in with Gunner together as freshmen and I always had confidence in him. You know, he’s played big-time football because he sees it every day. I mean, he does a great job preparing himself mentally and physically of what he has to do for the game. And I feel like he’ll be fine. I feel like our team will have Gunner’s back no matter what happens and I feel like we’ll be putting the best position up by him in the offense.”
Georgia’s game will be played on Jan. 1 in New Orleans with the Sugar Bowl as the host site. The game is set for an 8:45 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC.
Georgia football-Notre Dame game time for College Football Playoff
Georgia football will play Notre Dame on Jan. 1 at 8:45 p.m. ET.
Georgia football -Notre Dame TV network for College Football Playoff
Georgia football will play Notre Dame on ABC.
