Following a postponement yesterday due to the tragedy in New Orleans, the Georgia vs. Notre Dame College Football Playoff matchup will kick off at 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. Will the Dawgs pull off the small upset versus the Irish?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-1) at Georgia Bulldogs (+1); o/u 45
4:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, January 2, 2025
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
TV: ESPN
Notre Dame vs. Georgia CFP Public Betting: Bettors Backing Dawgs
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 55% of bets are on Georgia. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
Love does damage on one run
Jeremiyah Love compiled eight carries for 108 yards and one touchdown and hauled in all two targets for 18 yards during Friday’s 27-17 victory against Indiana. Love gained almost all of his rushing yards on a 98-yard sprint on a touchdown run in the first quarter. The sophomore has a touchdown in each game this season. Against Indiana, he was sort of limited the rest of the way. Love’s father, Jason, admitted that his son was playing with flu symptoms, according to the Fighting Irish Wire. Love was expected to play in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Georgia on New Year’s Day. The Bulldogs’ defense is not as dominant as in previous seasons, but they are still 36th in the nation against the run this season.
Etienne rushes for 94 yards, 2 TDs
Trevor Etienne posted 16 rushes for 94 yards and two touchdowns and gathered in 5 of 6 targets for 28 yards during Saturday’s 22-19 overtime victory over Texas. Etienne didn’t necessarily explode against the Longhorns, but he was a critical aspect of the Bulldogs’ offense, especially in the second half with a passing game stuck in the mud with a backup quarterback (Gunner Stockton) in for Carson Beck. The tailback’s two touchdowns were obviously critical, and he’ll remain a focal point of this offense in the College Football Playoff, especially if Stockton is forced to start once again.
Georgia vs. Notre Dame CFP Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Georgia’s last 6 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Georgia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Georgia vs. Notre Dame CFP Prediction
Notre Dame was impressive against Indiana. That said, the Fighting Irish won’t benefit from dominating the trenches tonight like they did when they played the Hoosiers. Indiana doesn’t have Georgia’s talent up front. Texas A&M is the closest thing Notre Dame faced to Georgia’s talent along both lines and while the Irish won, the game was tight throughout.
Plus, let’s revisit that win over Indiana, shall we? While Notre Dame was dominant defensively, what did the Irish do on offense outside of Jeremiyah Love’s 98-yard touchdown run? Quite frankly, I didn’t think Notre Dame’s offense was very impressive.
I’m certainly not overlooking the fact that Gunner Stockton will be making the biggest start of his life against a nasty Notre Dame defense. This won’t be easy and I think the game will be tight and tense throughout. However, teams like Georgia know how to turn it up a notch. And when it comes to the coaching, I’ll back Kirby Smart in a big game. He doesn’t win them all, but I know we’ll get UGA’s best.
Georgia vs. Notre Dame CFP Prediction: Georgia Bulldogs +1