It’s fitting that the Georgia vs. Notre Dame game will get primetime treatment on New Year’s Day because it’s probably the most exciting matchup on paper. Although this contest opened as a pick ’em, the Bulldogs have become a small favorite.
How to watch Georgia vs. Notre Dame
The last two times out, the Bulldogs needed overtime to beat Georgia Tech and Texas (in the SEC title game) but watched on TV as Notre Dame smushed Indiana in the first-round opener. The Fighting Irish won 27-17 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score, but they lost defensive tackle Rylie Mills to injury. Mills has been a key cog in a Notre Dame defense that ranks third in the country in points allowed per game (13.8).
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Indiana managed just 278 yards of offense, 126 of which came on its last two drives when the game was already decided. Can Notre Dame deliver a similar performance against Georgia?
Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck has four multi-interception games this season, although he hasn’t thrown a pick in his last four games, which includes games against Tennessee and Texas. That said, the last time we saw Beck, he got hurt against the Longhorns and led the Bulldogs to just three points in the first half. Backup Gunner Stockton led Georgia to a touchdown on his first drive and helped the Bulldogs win the SEC. With Beck expected to be out, Stockton is in position to step in.
Mills’ injury could be a big deal. Losing a standout on the interior defensive line when Georgia is getting healthy at running back is not ideal. Georgia running backs Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier missed time due to injury this season but combined for 141 yards and 22 carries against Texas.
Even without Mills, Notre Dame’s defense should be an elite unit. Pair that with Notre Dame’s desire and ability to take the life out of games with its running attack, and it’s no surprise that this game has the lowest listed point total of the four quarterfinals.
Georgia has won all three meetings between these teams: the 1981 Sugar Bowl and a home-and-home series in 2017 and 2019. All three games were decided by one score.
Georgia vs. Notre Dame odds
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