We’re the higher seeded team and Vegas favorites – that always works out so well. We’re down more running backs and banged up on the defensive front. We haven’t started the same OL all season, all to protect a QB from a small town making his first career start after spending several days on Bourbon Street…What, me worry?
Here’s what I’m NOT worried about when we face the ACC’s lone remaining playoff participant, except only the ACC staff and the other 17 teams call them an ACC member, which they do to justify their pitiable existence:
1. Notre Dame only threw 20 touchdown passes all season, including 1 against Indiana in the playoffs. Of those 20, only half were caught by a WR. Their top 2 wideouts totaled just under 800 yards receiving and 3 scores, for 61 yards a game on average. If you were worried about Daylen Everette getting picked on, it might not be very much. And a certain Mr. Starks might be cheating a step or two over to that area with some topside help.
2. Why even watch the first half? Skip the broadcast and check out the HGTV Dream House 2025 starting at 8 ET. That’s followed by a couple of episodes of “Bahamas Life”. Maybe around 10 or 10:30 you can flip over to ESPN and catch the 2nd half of the Sugar Bowl.
Why? Because of the notorious slow starts by the Georgia offense. Georgia has trailed in 8 of 11 Power 4 games in 2024. Mike Bobo’s offense was shutout in the 1Q in 6 of 13 games. And didn’t score a first half touchdown against 5 of 11 power 4 opponents. Other than the Texas game in Austin, where the defense and Quinn Ewers gifted the Bulldog offense with incredible field position, Georgia just really didn’t generate offense until they figured out that scoring more points was the object of the game.
Notre Dame has the #7 ranked defense in the nation – why would we expect anything but frustration in the first 30 minutes. But don’t worry about it, because Georgia also emerged victorious in 2nd half comebacks against Tech, Kentucky, Texas (#23 defense), and Florida (#2 defense).
3. I’m not worried about this being a playoff blowout ala Michigan 2021 or TCU 2022. Make no mistake, this is a very good football team. Coach Marcus Freeman has the Irish playing fundamental, smart, and physical football. That used to be Kirby Smart’s calling card, but from the 2024 Bulldogs we’ve seen too many turnovers, penalties, and missed assignments on both sides and all levels. UGA really isn’t playing mistake-free football. Notre Dame is.
They are 10th in the nation in turnover margin, having lost only 7 fumbles and thrown 6 interceptions in 13 games. They are top 20 in both fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards per game. They are first in the nation in 3rd down offense, and 6th in defensive sacks. They are playing sound on offense and defense, and can even break out some trick plays and unnatural formations to catch you off guard. So it won’t be boring, and you can expect an exciting game. Which is unfortunate.
Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch so here’s what does worry me about the school that allows 5’6” homeless people to play defensive end even with dubious academics and emotional trauma stemming from allowing his best friend to die in front of him:
1. 4 different tight ends caught a TD pass for the Irish. Those TE’s combined for about 3.5 catches a game, but 8 touchdowns on the season. That is 40% of the receiving touchdowns for the team, so they obviously like this position and throw to them often.
It isn’t the most talented, or productive, offensive position group for Notre Dame. That is definitely the running backs. But they have good receivers on the outside, 3 strong in the backfield, a good offensive line, and a very mobile running back. And any team that tries to stem all that is going to leave the tight ends alone. They can hit you from a variety of angles, and obviously have weapons and execution on their side.
2. Both teams are similar – not having to rely on production from the wide receivers, both dedicated to the running game, now both teams utilizing called QB runs, and good defense. Similar styles and build means a game will often come down to turnovers, big penalties, and… gulp… field position.
Georgia really has been spoiled with Brett Thorson. He had a few memorable boomers (vs. Tennessee in 2022 if I remember), but he was so consistent with incredible hangtime and allowing almost zero return yardage. He was also clutch at pinning inside the opponents 20 with regularity, hardly ever getting a touchback. Now that the Aussie is out for the year, we fans have really no idea what kind of punt game we can bring to NoLa. And we can’t count on flipping the field to switch the momentum.
3. Facing a loaded box. Notre Dame typically plays a lot of man coverage on the outside, and I think we can expect more of the same. The old adage of “we’ll play this until you can beat us with your arm” will likely play out on New Years. They will stack the box with 7 to try and plug all the lanes and make Georgia pass. Even more so with a young quarterback making his first start, away from home, and under bright lights. And an offensive line that may be getting healthy, but has been rotated through and changed more times than not.
Fifth year Hoosier QB Kurtis Roark faced the same thing in the first round of the playoffs. A 70% passer, with over 3,000 yards and almost 30 touchdowns was also playing in one of his first bright light games at South Bend, and the Golden Domers held him to one of his worst performances of the season. There’s never been a better time for the Georgia running game of old to make an appearance, but Notre Dame is tough against the run so we can’t count on that. I’m hoping the extra time since the SEC Championship was beneficial to get Gunner settled in with the 1’s and prevent that kind of scenario playing out.
Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Sound off in the comments below what worries you about the Bulldogs of Georgia versus the Fightin’ Irish of Notre Dame. And as always…
GO ‘DAWGS!!!