Georgia football will face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff

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 won Friday night with a 27-17 victory over Indiana. The game was played at Notre Dame, as all first round games are played on campus.

The Bulldogs have recent history with the Fighting Irish, having met in late 2019. The Bulldogs won that game at home and beat Notre Dame when 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 key to a stout defense that ranked third in yards per carry. allowed games 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 who 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 the Fighting Irish had faced this season. Georgia, by comparison, has played four games against playoff teams. Notre Dame’s most impressive win of the regular season was a road win over Texas A&M. Notre Dame has 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 after a tough SEC slate, as well as non-conference games against Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart talked about preparing for both teams in the lead-up to the game when he spoke 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 deal with the portal and portal visitors and guys going into the portal and coming out of the portal. I’ve talked with several coaches playing today and tomorrow and it has been a nightmare for them because they have had to prepare for this game while also trying to maintain their roster for next year we took Notre Dame and Purdue (sic), I’m sorry, Notre Dame and Indiana, and we worked on both of those teams. I’m looking forward to this game, because both teams are very different. “

Georgia is expected to be without starting quarterback Carson Beck for not only the Sugar Bowl, but the entire College Football Playoff after suffering 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 also added 8 rushing yards.

“When Gunner Stockton stepped on the field, I had no doubts,” Walker said. “I came in with Gunner as freshmen and I always had confidence in him. You know he’s played big football because he sees it every day. I mean he does a good job of preparing himself mentally and physically on what he’s going to do for the game. And I feel like he’s going to be fine. I feel like our team will have Gunner’s back no matter what, and I feel like we’re going to put him in the best position in the attack. .”

Georgia’s game will be played Jan. 1 in New Orleans, hosted by the Sugar Bowl. The game is set for a kickoff at 8:45 PM ET on ABC.

Georgia football-Notre Dame game time for the College Football Playoff

Georgia football plays Notre Dame on Jan. 1 at 8:45 PM ET.

Georgia football – Notre Dame TV Network for the College Football Playoff

Georgia football plays against Notre Dame on ABC.