Riley Leonard analyzes Georgia’s defense in preparation for the Sugar Bowl

On By Littum

Notre Dame is just two days away from battling Georgia in the Sugar Bowl with a trip to the national semifinals on the line. The Bulldogs are a team the Fighting Irish haven’t beaten in three previous meetings, but Wednesday night’s matchup might be the most even the teams have been in the years they’ve met.

Quarterback Riley Leonard has been key to Notre Dame’s stellar offensive season as the group has taken off as the year has gone on and continued to look better week after week.

Wednesday night features as talented a defense as you’ll see on the other side in Georgia. What does Leonard see in the talented group of Bulldogs?

Georgia's defense celebrates an interception against Texa

Georgia defensive back Daylen Everette (6) celebrates with his teammates after catching a pass from Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the second half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“They do a lot of different things, starting with the front,” Leonard said before going into Georgia’s defensive backfield. “In the secondary, you’re going to get all these different coverages, and they do a great job of hiding them. Obviously, they have really good athletes that are capable of that.”

Leonard also discussed the complexity of Georgia’s defense and how that has changed how he’s spent some of his free time this holiday week.

“We’re definitely watching a little bit more film,” Leonard said. “We’ve had a little more time and my coaches are doing a good job preparing me.”

An end zone pylon at Sukerbuen

January 2, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; An end zone pylon with the Sugar Bowl logo is seen in the second quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. / John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Latest Sugar Bowl betting odds courtesy of FanDuel:

Point spread: Georgia -1.5

Total: 45.5

MoneyLine: Georgia -111, Notre Dame -108

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