ATHENS – Notre Dame fans made it clear Friday that they want Georgia. They will now play Georgia in the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame won 27-17 against Indiana on Friday night. The game was played at Notre Dame as all first round games are played on campus.

The Bulldogs have a recent history with the Fighting Irish, last meeting in 2019. The Bulldogs won that home game, defeating Notre Dame, when coached by Brian Kelly. Georgia is 3-0 all-time against Notre Dame, including a victory in the 1981 Sugar Bowl that gave Georgia the national championship.

Notre Dame is now 12-1 this season, with its only loss coming in Week 2 against Northern Illinois. The Fighting Irish are dominated by a stout defense that ranked third in Indiana in yards allowed per game and sixth in scoring defense per game.

Offensively, Notre Dame is powered by quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jeremiah Love. Love had a 98-yard touchdown run in the win. Notre Dame has three players who have over 600 rushing yards this season. Marcus Freeman is the head coach at Notre Dame.

Scheduling-wise, Indiana was the first College Football Playoff opponent the Fighting Irish faced this season. In comparison, Georgia has played four games against playoff teams. Notre Dame’s most impressive win of the regular season was a road win against Texas A&M. Notre Dame earned a 31-13 win over Georgia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets were without starting quarterback Haynes King in that game.

Georgia had a first-round bye thanks to its 22-19 win over Texas in the SEC championship game. This has given most of the Georgia team a chance to heal and improve after a difficult SEC schedule as well as non-conference games against Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart spoke on College GameDay about both teams’ preparation leading up to the game.

“It was really unique,” ​​Smart said. “It was an adventure. Our offensive and defensive staff as well as our special teams had to weaken both teams. Not to mention looking after the portal and the portal visitors and people who enter and leave the portal. I spoke to several coaches who are playing today and tomorrow and it was a nightmare for them because they had to prepare for this game while also trying to maintain their roster for next year. But we took Notre Dame and Purdue (sic), I’m sorry, Notre Dame and Indiana and worked on both teams. We worked on it for one day each. I’m looking forward to this duel because both teams are very different.”

Georgia is expected to be without starting quarterback Carson Beck not just in the Sugar Bowl but throughout the College Football Playoff after he suffered an elbow injury in the win over Texas. Gunner Stockton is likely to start in place of Beck.

Stockton completed 12 of his 16 pass attempts for 71 yards and one interception in the win. He also added 8 rushing yards.

“When Gunner Stockton walked on the field I had no doubt,” Walker said. “I came in with Gunner as a freshman and always had confidence in him. You know, he played great football because he sees it every day. I mean, he’s doing a great job of preparing mentally and physically for what he needs to do for the game. And I have a feeling he’ll be fine. I feel like our team will support Gunner no matter what and I feel like we will be in the best position ahead of him offensively.”

Georgia’s game will be played on January 1st in New Orleans with the Sugar Bowl as the host site. The game is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. ET on ABC.

Georgia Football-Notre Dame game time for the College Football Playoff

Georgia Football plays Notre Dame on January 1st at 8:45 p.m. ET.

Georgia Football – Notre Dame TV Network for College Football Playoffs

Georgia Football plays Notre Dame on ABC.