Sugar Bowl Preview: Georgia vs. Notre Dame
The College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame presents an intriguing clash of circumstances, preparation, and personnel. Set to take place Wednesday night in New Orleans, the No. 2 Bulldogs (11-2) and No. 7 Fighting Irish (12-1) bring contrasting storylines to the Sugar Bowl.
Preparation Advantage for Georgia
Georgia enters with the advantage of extended preparation time, a critical edge for a team adjusting to a new quarterback. Sophomore Gunner Stockton will take the reins for the Bulldogs after Carson Beck suffered a season-ending elbow injury during the SEC Championship on Dec. 7. Stockton, who stepped in to secure Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win against Texas, has since had additional reps with the first team to prepare for this high-stakes matchup.
Coach Kirby Smart emphasized that practice has been pivotal for Stockton’s development:
“The biggest thing for Gunner is competition in practice and the situations we put him in. That’s how he’s gotten better.”
While Stockton’s limited game experience (25-of-32 passing for 206 yards, one interception this season) raises questions, his athleticism and competitive drive offer potential upside. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman noted Stockton’s mobility as a differentiator:
“He extends plays with his legs and is an ultra-competitive individual. We’ve studied over 80 plays of his film to prepare.”
Notre Dame’s Momentum
On the other hand, Notre Dame enters with momentum, having secured its 11th straight win in a 27-17 victory over Indiana in the CFP first round. The Irish are acclimating to back-to-back postseason games, a new challenge in the 12-team CFP era. Freeman acknowledged the adjustment:
“This is uncharted territory. You prepare like it’s a bowl game, but then you’re right back to work for the next round.”
Offensively, Notre Dame relies on quarterback Riley Leonard (2,293 passing yards, 17 TDs, six INTs) and running back Jeremiyah Love, who averages an impressive 7.4 yards per carry with 1,057 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Defensively, the Irish face challenges with the absence of standout tackle Rylie Mills (7.5 sacks), lost to injury in the first round. They’ll look to Howard Cross III and a rotation of capable backups to fill the void.
Key Factors to Watch
Stockton’s Adaptability: Georgia’s offense will likely maintain its core identity, as Smart noted:
“We are who we are.”
However, Stockton’s ability to manage the moment and avoid mistakes will be a crucial determinant of the Bulldogs’ success.
Notre Dame’s Conditioning: While Georgia’s extended break allowed for recovery and preparation, Smart admitted the risk of rust:
“Do you lose some rhythm with a long break? Bowl games often show it can affect performance.”
Conversely, Notre Dame’s rhythm from back-to-back games could prove advantageous.
Battle in the Trenches: With Mills sidelined, Georgia’s offensive line may have opportunities to exploit. On the flip side, Notre Dame’s defensive depth will be tested against Georgia’s balanced attack.
Betting Insights
The line and total will hinge on the perception of Stockton’s readiness versus Notre Dame’s continuity. Bettors should monitor reports on Georgia’s game plan adjustments and Stockton’s progress in practice. For Notre Dame, the ability to sustain its offensive efficiency against a rested Georgia defense will be key.
This matchup pits preparation against momentum, with the outcome likely hinging on quarterback play and defensive adjustments. Georgia’s pedigree and extended preparation give them a slight edge, but Notre Dame’s resilience and rhythm can’t be overlooked.With the transfer portal reshaping its roster, Arkansas will lean on some new faces to step up when it takes on Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl on Friday night in Memphis, Tennessee.
After a 6-6 season—an improvement of two wins over 2023—the Razorbacks have seen significant roster changes since the transfer portal opened two weeks ago. On offense, they lost key contributors including second-leading receiver Isaiah Sategna, center Addison Nichols, and guards Joshua Braun and Patrick Kutas.
In addition, leading rusher Ja’Quinden Jackson (790 yards, 15 touchdowns) and top receiver Andrew Armstrong, who led the Southeastern Conference with 1,140 receiving yards, opted out of the bowl game. On defense, safety TJ Metcalf and linebacker Brad Spence are also gone.
Despite these departures, the remaining players are determined to finish the season on a positive note in front of what should be a large contingent of Arkansas fans, who are expected to make the short trip to Memphis.
“Going 7-6 with a winning record would be good,” linebacker Stephen Dix said. “But we know we’re capable of so much more. When we look back at the games, the coaches showed us how small the margins were in our losses to really good teams.”
The Razorbacks will look to quarterback Taylen Green to lead the offense. The Boise State transfer has thrown for 2,812 yards and 13 touchdowns while also rushing for 521 yards and seven scores. His top returning target for the bowl game is Isaac TeSlaa, who caught 25 passes for 439 yards this season.
Texas Tech, coming off an 8-4 regular season, has also experienced significant roster turnover, though not as extensive as Arkansas. The biggest hole for the Red Raiders is at quarterback, with Behren Morton sidelined after shoulder surgery. Morton threw for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns during the regular season.
Leading receiver Josh Kelly, who had 89 catches for 1,023 yards, has opted out to focus on preparing for the NFL draft. The status of leading rusher Tahj Brooks, who rushed for 1,505 yards and 17 touchdowns, remains uncertain, according to head coach Joey McGuire. Brooks has attended all bowl practices but is still weighing whether to opt out. McGuire said other players who entered the transfer portal would still play in the bowl due to their contributions throughout the season.
“If Brooks plays, that’s obviously huge for us,” McGuire said. “If not, we’ll see how freshman running backs J’Koby Williams and Cam Dickey step up.”
Freshman Will Hammond, who has completed 15 of 23 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown in limited action, will start at quarterback for the Red Raiders. He’ll have second-leading receiver Caleb Douglas, who caught a career-high 55 passes for 762 yards and six touchdowns, as his top target.
Arkansas enters the game as a two-point favorite, despite Texas Tech’s impressive wins over CFP quarterfinalist Arizona State and Iowa State. Arkansas’ signature win came in October against Tennessee, which reached the CFP but lost to Ohio State in the first round.
The Razorbacks lead the all-time series 29-8, though Texas Tech won the last meeting 35-24 in 2015.
