- Notre Dame held off a shaky Indiana team in the CFP’s first round, advancing to this game.
- Georgia earned a first-round bye after winning the SEC championship game against Texas.
- These two teams last faced off on September 21, 2019, in a game that Georgia won 23-17.
The fourth CFP quarterfinal is a Sugar Bowl matchup between a pair of title contenders. Our Notre Dame vs Georgia prediction focuses on Georgia’s defense and their ability to slow down teams.
Notre Dame Aiming to End CFP Curse
The CFP era has not been kind to Notre Dame. The lack of a conference title game to participate in has made it trickier for them to make the field. When they have, their subpar strength-of-schedule has translated into poor results against top teams. This year, the Fighting Irish have as strong of a team as any, but still face an uphill battle. Their win over Indiana was solid, but the Hoosiers only made the field because of a favorable schedule. This game will be the true test for Notre Dame.
Georgia Looks for Return to Top-4
Georgia has been no stranger to the CFP semifinals and finals. They’ve been the strongest college football program in the country over the past half decade and are once again in the mix to win it all. The Bulldogs may not have as dominant of a defense as they had in years past, but it’s still capable of shutting down most teams. Look for Georgia’s defense to play a key role in slowing down Notre Dame, especially with their own QB Carson Beck continuing to underperform.
Notre Dame vs Georgia Prediction: Georgia Clamps ND
Expect this to be a low-scoring game between two teams with excellent defenses and questionable QB play. Shutting down the run will be key for both sides, and the Bulldogs have a notable advantage in their front-7. The Fighting Irish are likely to hang around and keep this game close, but will ultimately struggle to score consistently against Georgia. I like the Bulldogs to win this one by a touchdown.
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