Notre Dame faces its undeniably toughest challenge yet of the 2024 season against the second-seed Georgia Bulldogs. Can Notre Dame start 2025 on a good note?
Photo by The Irish Tribune
Peter Mulroy - Associate Editor, First & Gold Podcast
Score Prediction: 24-17 Notre Dame
Punch them in the mouth early & see how they respond. The SEC champs will punch back, but this isn’t your daddy’s ND squad. Expect the Irish to pound the rock — again — then let their secondary dictate play on defense. In a game that screams physicality, give me Notre Dame’s Ali to UGA’s Frazier in a bout for the record books!
Liam Farrell - Associate Editor, Senior Football Writer
Score Prediction: 27-17 Notre Dame
In Notre Dame’s second-round matchup, Al Golden puts on a masterclass as the Irish defense confuses Gunner Stockton for the majority of the game. On the offensive side of the ball, Notre Dame picks up an early lead due to some bad Georgia tackling and Riley Leonard does enough with his arm late in the game to punch an Orange Bowl appearance. My hot takes for the game are that Jayden Harrison will have a touchdown, whether it be receiving or a kickoff return, and that Leonard Moore will record an interception.
Brenden Duffy - Associate Editor, Senior Staff Writer
Score Prediction: 24-20 Notre Dame
ND dominates early, capitalizing on mistakes by the UGA offense led by first-time starter Gunner Stockton. After slowly settling into the game, Stockton starts to find a rhythm and leads UGA back into the game.
If UGA is going to have success on offense, they must have a solid run game by either RB Trevor Etienne or Nate Frazier. If they rush effectively in the first half, this should open up the passing game in the second half for Stockton. For the Irish on offense, they should find success with their bread and butter in the run game. Georgia has the talent on defense to dominate anyone in the country, but there have been several instances throughout the year where miscues, bad communication, etc. have led to opposing offenses making big-time plays. Both of UGA’s losses came against mobile QBs in Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart, and they were nearly upset by Georgia Tech’s Haynes King. Expect Irish QB Riley Leonard to have a big impact via the run game against this defense.
In the end, I think ND advances to the Orange Bowl thanks to a defense that forces an inexperienced QB to make mistakes and a strong rush performance, specifically from Leonard.
Clayton Stohler - First & Gold Podcast Co-Host
Score prediction: 27-20 Notre Dame
UGA’s front 7, playmakers on the perimeter, the best TE Room in the country, and a stable featuring 2 very good running backs. Georgia will throw it all at the Irish, but this time, it won’t be enough. ND disrupts Stockton’s rhythm all night long, as the lack of in-game reps reveals itself. Christian Gray takes his lumps against Arian Smith, but ultimately keeps him contained. Howard Cross has a big day disrupting the middle, as Bryce Young, Josh Burnham, and Junior Tuilamaka set the edge with conviction.
On offense, Jadarian Price has his best game in a Notre Dame Uniform. Riley Leonard finds his rhythm and keeps it as the tight end room has their best day of the season.. It’s going to come down to one possession all night long, and ND, for the first time in a long time, is one possession better than Georgia.
Noah Wehby - Writer
Score Prediction: 21-17 Notre Dame
This is going to be a tough, physical game for all four quarters. Both teams want to establish the run and play aggressive defense. Due to Georgia’s size and athleticism, Notre Dame is going to have their biggest test yet when it comes to running the football. Luckily for the Irish, Jeremiyah Love is on a different level and will still find ways to get loose. On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame will have to make early adjustments to Gunner Stockton and the Georgia offense. As there is not a lot of tape of him, the first few drives will be a great tell for Al Golden. In the end, Notre Dame’s stout defense will be too much for Georgia.
Bruce Straughan - Recruiting Insider & Writer
Score Prediction: 17-14 Notre Dame
This game has all the ingredients to be a defensive battle and a low-scoring game. Georgia comes in not the typical Georgia we’ve been used to this past decade. An inexperienced QB starting (in the biggest game of his life) against a dominant secondary could spell big-time trouble for Georgia.
Georgia’s wide receivers have had a hard time creating separation and it won’t be any easier against a top secondary in the nation in Notre Dame. Notre Dame has been gashed from time to time up the middle and Georgia’s strength is their run game.
Notre Dame’s game plan should be to stack the box to stop the run and trust their secondary to go one-on-one with Georgia’s wide receivers. Make Stockton beat them with his arm. I see a big day coming for Xavier Watts (who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time) against an inexperienced QB in Stockton.
Notre Dame’s strong suit has been the run game all season and nobody they’ve faced so far this season has been able to stop it consistently even when stacking the box. If they can get Love and Price going ND could run away with this game.
Connor Regan - Long-Form Writer
Score Prediction: 27-23 Notre Dame
The game will ultimately come down to two key factors: who excels at running the ball and who excels at stopping it. Al Golden and the defense will gradually suffocate Stockton, forcing the offense to play their style. The combination of Leonard, Price, and Love will ultimately prove too overwhelming for the Bulldogs over four quarters. This will be a close one, but look for Notre Dame to get the lead early and fend off Georgia’s attempts to scratch their way back.
Max Uretsky - Recruiting & Football Analyst
Score Prediction: 24-20 Notre Dame
Georgia is still one of the big dogs on the block and continues to have top-notch athletes across the board. The difference is, this time around Notre Dame has the athletes to match. The UGA defense will not give up any gimme yards, especially in between the tackles, but I think Notre Dame will continue to work the perimeter with their outstanding running backs until they find some chunk plays. Riley Leonard will be very efficient, especially in the intermediate passing game, and will continue to build on a stellar back end of the season.
Defensively, even with the massive blow of losing Rylie Mills, there is just something different about the way this unit is playing. Al Golden is completely dialed in with what is working for his players and I think this is a tough match-up for Gunner Stockton who may bring more as a runner than a passer. A defensive stop late in the game seals a victory for ND and sends them to the Orange Bowl.
Brady Burden - Social Media Intern
Score Prediction: 27-17 Notre Dame
Notre Dame will run the ball just like every other game and will have success while doing it. The Georgia defense is good enough and will make adjustments and the Irish will need to spread the Dawgs out and throw the ball downfield. ND will score a late touchdown in the 4th and will escape as Sugar Bowl champs.
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