This Saturday, Georgia will take on Notre Dame in one of the biggest events ever to take place in Sanford Stadium.
Georgia (3-0), comes into the game ranked No. 3 in the nation, while Notre Dame (2-0) is currently ranked No. 7.
The Bulldogs are considered a 13.5 point favorite over the Fighting Irish in a contest that will kickoff at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
With College GameDay headed to the Classic City and a top-ten showdown between two storied programs, expect the atmosphere to be electric. Both teams have their sights set on another visit to the College Football Playoff, but the loser of this game will have their work cut out for them if they want to overcome this loss.
Notre Dame is no joke, but I’m giving my official prediction right now of a Georgia win, 31-14.
Let me explain why…
1. Georgia’s rushing attack vs Notre Dame’s subpar run defense
Georgia is going to run the ball. I know it, you know it and Notre Dame knows it.
But will Notre Dame be able to stop it? I don’t think so. And that’s not entirely Notre Dame’s fault, it’s just that Georgia totes the rock very well.
Then again, it does not help that Notre Dame’s rushing defense is less than stellar.
Through two games this season, Notre Dame ranks 120th in the nation (out of 130) in defending the run.
The Irish have allowed 461 yards on the ground in two games. Against Louisville, they allowed the Cardinals to rush for 249 yards. Then the following week vs New Mexico, a game Notre Dame won big, the Lobos still managed to churn out 212 yards rushing.
Now there’s Georgia, which is a run first team and probably has five running backs that could start on either Louisville or New Mexico. The Bulldogs are averaging 286 yards per game on the ground, which ranks eighth in the nation.
If it’s not D’Andre Swift, it’s Brian Herrien. If not Herrien, look for James Cook or Zamir White to cause problems. Georgia’s rushing attack, powered by the best offensive line in the country, is simply going to wear down Notre Dame all game. The score might be close for the first half, but once the Irish defenders start to tire down, that’s when Georgia will take over.
2. Georgia’s run defense has been superb this year. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s rushing offense has been just ok
Sticking with the rushing attack, but flipping it around this time.
Georgia’s rush defense has been one of the biggest bright spots to this 2019 Bulldog team.
Georgia is currently boasting the fifth best run defense in the nation, allowing just 2.14 yards per carry.
The big guys up front are doing their jobs, the linebackers are filling gaps, and just when the opponent thinks they might break a big one, a Georgia defensive back comes in to shut that all down.
And for Notre Dame, their rushing attack has not been bad, but it has not been anything special either, especially considering their quality of opponents.
Against New Mexico, the Irish averaged four yards per carry and tallied 157 rushing yards. Against Louisville, they looked better, averaging 5.5 yards per carry en route to a 230 yard day on the ground.
Dexter Williams, their leading rusher last year, is now on the Green Bay Packers. That leaves junior running back Tony Jones as their main guy along with quarterback Ian Book. Neither really strike too much fear into me in the run game.
3. Jake Fromm is ready for this game
Jake Fromm’s first ever start at Georgia came against Notre Dame on the road in 2017. And what did he do? He led Georgia to a top-25 win over the Irish in South Bend.
It was not his prettiest game ever, but it was good enough. He went 16/29 for 141 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
But that was then. Two years ago, as a true freshman.
Since then, he has won an SEC Championship, a Rose Bowl, came one play from winning a national title and came so close to playing in a second playoff last year. He has a certain confidence about him that is impossible for any true freshman to possess.
This very well may be his last season of playing college football, as many project him to be a first round draft pick next spring. Fromm’s not going to let a home game vs Notre Dame get in the way of him making what could be his final year in Athens a historical one.
4. Georgia’s pass rush, coupled with home-field advantage, will make life difficult for Ian Book
Ian Book is off to a strong start this season, and many expect him to have a solid year for Notre Dame.
He’s a good all around quarterback, but he has not been tested like he will be Saturday night in Athens.
For starters, Georgia’s pass rush has been incredible this year. A complete 180 from last year’s dormant one.
Book has taken four sacks this season in only two games vs lesser competition – three against Louisville, one against New Mexico.
Honestly, I have no idea if Louisville’s pass rush is good or not. But I do know that Georgia’s is better.
Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy may not be here to save the day anymore, but Georgia has Azeez Ojulari, Nolan Smith, Tyler Clark, Channing Tindall, Jermaine Johnson, Adam Anderson, etc. to get to Book and bring him down.
With 12 sacks through three games, Georgia is averaging four sacks a game, which is 9th overall in the nation.
But wait, let’s make life even more difficult for Book. This is a home game. Maybe Georgia’s biggest home game ever. The place is going to be electric all night long. Book won’t be able to hear himself think, let alone communicate pass protection plans to his offensive line.
And it does not even have to be sacks. As long as Georgia gets there and at least disrupts the throw, that could be a game-changing difference.
5. Georgia’s offensive line should allow Fromm all day to throw to his star freshmen
Notre Dame’s pass defense is good, ranking 12th in the nation and allowing 142 yards per game.
But they have not faced an offensive line, wide receivers or a quarterback like Georgia has on its roster.
The Irish have four sacks through two games, so not too bad but nothing the Georgia offensive line cannot handle.
Expect Fromm to have time to throw the ball all night, and with it being a home game the place should be pretty quiet while the offense operates.
Georgia’s receivers are no joke either. The Dawgs lost a lot of talent from last year’s team for sure, but have made up for it nicely with the emergence of true freshmen George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock.
Last week, Tyler Simmons, a versatile threat on the Georgia offense, injured his shoulder and left the game early. Kirby Smart said that he expects Simmons to be back this weekend.
Demetris Robertson missed the game with a leg injury, but Smart also expects him to be back as well.
