By Josh 
Man, what a season it’s been for the Georgia Bulldogs. They had us biting our nails, doubting, and then cheering like crazy as they snagged the SEC Championship and punched their ticket to the Sugar Bowl. Now, Georgia (11-2) is set to face Notre Dame (12-1) in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that’s got “must-watch” written all over it.
But let’s be real—this season wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for the Dawgs. Playing through ESPN’s No. 1 toughest schedule, Georgia had its share of hiccups. Two losses on the road had everyone questioning if they were even playoff material. First, there was that near-comeback heartbreaker against Alabama in Week 4. Then, Ole Miss came in and absolutely wrecked them, leaving fans wondering, “Can Georgia even pull this off?”
Spoiler alert: they could. And they did.
Under Kirby Smart, Georgia once again found a way to rally when it mattered most. Wins over heavyweights like Tennessee and Texas, topped with an SEC Championship victory, made it clear the Dawgs weren’t going down without a fight.
Now, let’s talk about their opponents—Notre Dame. The Irish had a rollercoaster of their own. They kicked off the season with a jaw-dropping win against Texas A&M in the chaos of Kyle Field, only to lose at home to Northern Illinois. Seriously, NIU?! But credit where it’s due—they bounced back and made history with their first-ever playoff win in a home game.
So here we are. New Orleans. Sugar Bowl. Georgia and Notre Dame. Two teams with something to prove and only one ticket to the semifinals.
Georgia vs. Notre Dame: The Breakdown
Here’s the deal—these two programs don’t cross paths often, but when they do, it’s always a thriller. Georgia has a 3-0 record against Notre Dame, including a tight win in the 1981 Sugar Bowl. The total margin of victory in their three meetings? Just 14 points. Yeah, it’s that close every time.
For Georgia to keep their streak alive, they’ll need to shut down Notre Dame’s offense, which, let’s be honest, is pretty predictable.
Notre Dame: All About the Ground Game
Notre Dame’s offense can be summed up in two words: run game. They’ve got a three-headed monster leading the charge—Jeremiyah Love (1,057 yards, 16 TDs), Jadarian Price (683 yards, 7 TDs), and QB Riley Leonard (751 yards, 15 TDs). With 2,891 rushing yards this season, they rank 11th nationally in ground attack.
But here’s the catch: they’re too reliant on it. In their one loss this season (yep, Northern Illinois again), the Irish were held to just 123 rushing yards. If you can stop their run game, you can stop Notre Dame.
And Georgia? Oh, they’re built for this. The Dawgs’ defense loves shutting down one-dimensional offenses. Just ask Kentucky, Auburn, or Tennessee. Their game plan will be simple: force Notre Dame into passing situations and let their elite athletes do the rest.
Speaking of passing, Leonard’s no slouch, but it’s not exactly his forte. He’s thrown 17 touchdowns this season but also six picks. And one of those interceptions against NIU? That’s what sealed the Irish’s fate in their lone loss.
What’s Next?
If Georgia can make Notre Dame play out of their comfort zone, the Dawgs will likely be heading to the semifinals. But this is college football, and if this season has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.
So, grab your snacks and get comfy. This Sugar Bowl clash is about to be one for the books.