The Sugar Bowl
The final game of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals is today, postponed after that horrible terrorist attack in the early morning of January 1st. My heart goes out to all those who were affected by the horrific tragedy. Today at 4 pm Eastern time, my Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face their toughest challenge yet, the powerful Georgia Bulldogs. Here is what is at stake in this game, and what a win would mean for both programs.
Earlier this season the Notre Dame Fighting Irish suffered arguably the biggest upset of the year losing to Northern Illinois. Notre Dame came into this matchup 1-0 and ranked #5 in the country. This shocking loss rattled the Fighting Irish greatly, however, it appeared to be exactly what they needed. From then on the Irish dominated every opponent they faced beating strong teams like an unbeaten Army, Georgia Tech, and Louisville. The Irish capped up their regular season 11-1, which would grant them a playoff berth. They played Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff and dominated.
Riley Leonard has been consistent when throwing and running, and the Irish backfield has been perfect. Jeremiyah Love has played like a top 3 running back in the country, and his backfield partner Jadarian Price has also been incredible. Despite star cornerback Benjamin Morrison's season-ending injury, safety Xavier Watts has been lethal as always. With many options on offense and defense, the Irish have a deadly group of guys.
Their opponent, the Georgia Bulldogs, needs no introduction. They are SEC champions and have won 2 of the last three college football national championships. They have been the best team in the country for a couple of years. Except this year was out of the ordinary for the usual dominant dogs.
The Bulldogs started their season 3-0 but had to go into a huge SEC game in week 4 vs. Alabama. That game was one of the best of the season and an incredible addition to the Georgia vs. Alabama rivalry. The Bulldogs lost that game vs. Alabama but were able to regroup in their next two games beating Auburn and then Mississippi State. Their next test came against #1 ranked Texas which they destroyed at Texas, 30-15. From then on it looked like Georgia had found its footing and were back in the playoff race but they lost Ole Miss 2 weeks after their win against Texas.
Still, somehow they managed to finish the regular season 10-2 and made it to the SEC championship. They rematched against Texas and were once again victorious. The Bulldogs were SEC champions and had secured a first-round bye in the college football playoff.
The Bulldogs' main strength is their defense. Jalon Walker is a lethal edge rusher and a projected top lottery pick in this year's draft. Their options on offense are also potent, with Oscar Delp at tight end and Trevor Etienne at running back. A major storyline though is that Georiga will be playing with their backup quarterback, a guy by the name of Gunner Stockton. Starting QB Carson Beck was injured in the Bulldogs SEC championship game vs Texas and had to get surgery on his right shoulder. Gunner Stockton looked great replacing Carson Beck, but today he will make his first career start of his college football career. Carson Beck, Georgia’s starting QB, did not have a good year at all, especially under pressure. Georgia may even be better with Gunner Stockton at QB, the only problem is that he has never started a football game.
Gunner Stockton’s lack of experience in college football could prove to be not an issue, or it could prove to be a major issue. The Bulldogs' last championship before their one in 2021 was in 1980. That postseason they played, guess who, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and of all places, the Superdome in New Orleans, also known as, the Sugar Bowl. Led by Hershal Walker, Georgia won that game and the national championship. Notre Dame would not win their next title until 1988, and that was also the last time they won a national championship.
The stakes of this game are high for both teams. Georgia is trying to continue their whirlwind of a season by getting one step closer to a national championship, trying to win their 3rd title in 4 years. The Irish are looking to continue their dominant season getting one step closer to a national championship, winning their first title since 1988. I believe in my Irish but the Bulldogs will prove to be a tough challenge. I think we will see a close game for most of the game. I expect to see dominance from Georgia’s Jalon Walker on the defensive end, and greatness from Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love on the offensive end. I am hoping, and yearning for a Notre Dame win, however, championship experience helps immensely and that is something that Kirby Smart and Georiga have. I hope the Irish win and I think they can, but if you want my realistic view, the Bulldogs will win.
