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- Bet365 Spread: Georgia -1.5 (-110); O/U: 44.0 (-110)
- Defense Edge: Notre Dame's secondary ranks 4th nationally with 18 interceptions, while Georgia's backup QB has just 47 career pass attempts.
- Offensive X-factor: Georgia is missing starting quarterback Carson Beck (who is recovering from elbow surgery). With backup Gunner Stockton at the helm, the Bulldogs are averaging just 4.8 yards per play.
- Bet365 Bonus Code SFA365: Bet $5, get $150 in bonus bets (or) $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.
- Risk Factors: Notre Dame DT Rylie Mills (serious knee injury) is out for the CFP Quarterfinal. Georgia is allowing 127.8 rush yards per game vs. Power 5 opponents.
The expanded College Football Playoff has delivered a dream quarterfinal matchup, as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1) face off against the Georgia Bulldogs (11-2) in a historic Sugar Bowl showdown. Our Notre Dame vs. Georgia Preview will break down every angle of this epic battle between two of college football's most storied programs.
We'll also highlight an exclusive Bet365 betting offer for the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal.
#7 Notre Dame vs. #2 Georgia: Betting Tips, Breakdown & Prediction
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish face SEC powerhouse Georgia in what promises to be the most exciting College Football Playoff matchup thus far. The Bulldogs are currently favored by 1.5 points at Bet365. The total is squared at over/under 44.0 points (-110), but Smart Money is more interested in the over 44 points and with good reason:
- Both teams are 6-4 hitting the over in their last 10 games.
- Notre Dame has averaged 32.8 points per game.
- Georgia's defensive struggles against mobile quarterbacks (allowed 70+ rushing yards to three different QBs this season).
The winner of the Notre Dame-Georgia game will advance to take on the quarterfinal College Football Playoff game winner between the #6 Penn State Nittany Lions and the #3 Boise State Broncos.
» Bet it now: Notre Dame vs. Georgia line (-1.5) at -110 or Over 44.0 points.»
Notre Dame vs. Georgia Preview: Head-to-Head History
The Sugar Bowl backdrop feels fitting for this CFP Quarterfinal matchup. It's where these programs first clashed in a game that still haunts Notre Dame fans. Georgia's 17-10 victory in the 1981 Sugar Bowl secured the national title, with Herschel Walker putting on a show: 150 yards, two touchdowns, and a Heisman Trophy to boot.
Georgia's dominance in this rare series continued with wins in 2017 (20-19) and 2019 (23-17), but both games came down to the final drive. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 3-0, though a combined 14 points decided those three contests.
Both of these powerhouses refused to let early setbacks derail their title hopes. Marcus Freeman's Fighting Irish bounced back from their lone stumble, a September stunner against Northern Illinois, by rattling off 11 straight wins, including a statement victory over Indiana in the playoff's opening round.
Georgia took a different route, dropping games to SEC rivals Alabama and Ole Miss before flexing their muscle in two wins over Texas to claim the SEC Championship crown. Kirby Smart's squad earned a first-round bye as the CFP's No. 2 seed, though Beck's elbow injury in the SEC title game adds a lot of intrigue to this matchup.
Defensive Edge: Notre Dame Secondary
Notre Dame's defense will be Georgia's toughest test yet, particularly with a backup quarterback under center. Their secondary has been suffocating, ranking fourth nationally with 18 interceptions while holding opposing quarterbacks to just 5.4 yards per attempt from clean pockets.
Despite Mills' absence, the Irish have shown remarkable depth along their defensive front, allowing just 3.2 yards per carry over their last six games. Stockton faces a defensive unit that's been terrorizing quarterbacks all season. Notre Dame's defensive metrics tell the story:
- 3.8 yards allowed per passing attempt on third downs (2nd nationally).
- 52% completion rate against when bringing pressure (1st nationally).
- 22 total takeaways in their last eight games (top-5 nationally).
The loss of Mills hurts the run defense, but the Irish have allowed just six passing touchdowns in their previous nine games. That's particularly troubling for a Georgia offense that must rely on an inexperienced quarterback making his first career start.
Georgia is no slouch on the defensive side of the ball, either. Here's how Georgia's defense has performed this season:
- 11th in SEC rushing defense (127.8 yards per game).
- 85th nationally in QB pressure rate.
- 3rd in red zone defense efficiency.
Offensive Concern: Georgia Without Beck
Georgia's offensive adjustment without Beck will be crucial. Stockton showed promise in relief during the SEC Championship, but facing one of the nation's top passing defenses in a College Football Playoff environment presents a different challenge entirely.
The Fighting Irish offense has found its rhythm behind dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard and explosive running back Jeremiyah Love. Their combined 31 rushing touchdowns this season highlight Notre Dame's ability to control the game on the ground.
Key Injuries to Watch: Beck Out Injured
The biggest storyline heading into this CFP Quarterfinal centers around Georgia's quarterback situation. Star QB Carson Beck is sidelined with an elbow injury sustained during the SEC Championship, forcing the Bulldogs to turn to sophomore Gunner Stockton.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame will be without defensive tackle Rylie Mills, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Indiana.
Exclusive Bet365 Betting Offer: Bet $5 and Get $150
| Bet365 Promo | $1,000 First Bet Safety Net | Bet $5 get $150 |
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| Minimum Wager | $10 | $5 |
| Eligible Bet Types | Straight Bet, Parlay, Same Game Parlay or Same Game Parlay+ | Must have odds of -500 or greater |
| Eligible States | AZ, CO, IN, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH or VA | AZ, CO, IN, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH or VA |
| Validity Period | Within 30 days of registering for an account & 7 Days to use bonus bets | Within 30 days of registering for an account & 7 Days to use bonus bets |
If you are looking for an exclusive betting offer for the New Year's Day College Football Playoff games, Bet365 has you covered. New customers can claim two premium offers for the CFP Georgia vs. Notre Dame showdown using our exclusive Bet365 promo code SFA365:
1. Bet $5, Get $150 Bonus Bets
- Minimum deposit: $10
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- Must stake on odds of -500 or longer
- Receive $150 in bonus bets regardless of game outcome
2. $1,000 First Bet Safety Net
- Ideal for larger wagers
- Full refund in bonus bets if bet loses
- Valid for 30 days after registration
- Available across all betting markets
How to Claim Your Bet365 Bonus Before Kickoff
- Download the Bet365 mobile app
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Bonus Offers & Promos for Georgia vs. Notre Dame
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus |
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| Bet365 | Bet $5 and get $150 (or) $1,000 first bet safety net |
| BetMGM | $1,500 back if first bet loses |
| Caesars | $1,000 first bet insurane (or) Double Winnings on First 10 Bets |
| DraftKings | Bet $5 and get $150 if first bet wins |
Notre Dame vs. Georgia Preview: Final Thoughts
This Notre Dame vs. Georgia preview points to a closer game than the spread suggests. The combination of Stockton's inexperience and Notre Dame's opportunistic defense creates an intriguing betting opportunity. While Georgia's overall talent level remains elite, the Fighting Irish's balanced attack and defensive prowess make them a live underdog in this New Year's Day College Football Playoff battle.