How Georgia and Notre Dame stack up: Statistical breakdown

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When Georgia and Notre Dame meet at 8 p.m. ET on CBS this coming Saturday, it will be a huge showdown with major Playoff implications.

Based on the old-fashioned eye test, this is Georgia’s game to lose. The Bulldogs have looked better just about everywhere so far this season. However, neither team has really played anybody yet, so for now all we can do is speculate.

According to the stats below, provided by CFBStats.com, UGA and Notre Dame are pretty evenly matched.

But the game is not played on paper, and some intangibles will come into play here.

Let’s take a look at the statistical comparison between the two national powerhouses.

First: Offense

Offensive Breakdown

Scoring offense

In two games, Notre Dame has averaged 50.5 points per games this season. That’s 7th best in the nation.

Georgia, which has played three games this year, is ranked No. 9 in scoring offense, averaging 49.3 points in those games.

Rushing Offense

Georgia’s bread and butter, the Dawgs rank No. 8 in the FBS in rushing offense, averaging 286.67 rushing yards per game.

Notre Dame, at 193.5 rushing yards per game, is ranked ranked No. 45 in the country in rushing offense.

Passing Offense

Behind the arm of Ian Book, Notre Dame is passing for an average of 313.5 yards per game through the Irish’s first two games of the year. That’s No. 19 in the nation.

Georgia and Jake Fromm, on the other hand, are not and will not be a pass first team this season. Still, Georgia is No. 35 in the nation in passing yards per game with an average of 278.7.

Total Offense

Ranking 22nd in the nation, Notre Dame is averaging 507 yards of offense a game. Additionally, the Irish are 11th in the nation with 7.8 yards per play.

565.3 yards per game is good enough to have Georgia ranked No. 7 in the nation in total offense. Georgia’s 8.74 yards per play is third in the country.

First Downs

Notre Dame averages 21.5 first downs per game, 71st nationally.

38 first downs on the ground and 36 through the air, plus 3 from penalty, have resulted in 77 first down for Georgia. That’s an average of 25.7 per game, which is 21st in the nation.

Penalties

In two games, Notre Dame’s averaged 5.5 penalties per, resulting in an average of 36.5 penalty yards a game – 15th in the nation.

Georgia has not been as disciplined, and a lot of that has to do with its ugly first game against Vanderbilt. UGA ranks 97th nationally. At 6.7 per game, Georgia gives up 65.3 yards off penalties per game. 

Turnover Margin

Notre Dame has forced 7 turnovers and given up 1, with a +6 turnover margin. The Irish rank 5th in this category.

Georgia has forced 4 turnovers and given up 1, with a +1 turnover margin. Dawgs rank 40th in this category.

Sacks allowed

In just two games, Notre Dame has allowed four sacks. That’s an average of two per game, which is 72nd in the country.

In three games, Georgia’s offensive line has given up just one sack. That averaged out over three games is 0.33 per game, 5th in the nation.

Next: Defense

Defensive Breakdown

Scoring Defense

Notre Dame, in two games, has allowed 31 points, or 15.5 per game. That’s 29th in the nation.

In three games, Georgia has only given up 23 points, and 17 of those came against Murray State. That’s an average of 7.7 points per game, which is good enough for third in the nation.

Rushing Defense

Notre Dame’s rushing defense will have its hands full with the Georgia attack. In just two games, the Irish have allowed 461 rushing yards, which is 230.5 yards per game. That is 120th (out of 130) in the nation. 

Georgia’s rushing defense has been maybe the biggest highlight of the year so far for the Dawgs. Only allowing 60.67 yards rushing per game (2.14 per rush), Georgia’s rushing defense ranks 5th nationally.

Passing Defense

Notre Dame’s passing defense has looked better, though, allowing 142.5 yards per game, 12th overall.

Georgia is 34th in the nation, allowing 132.3 yards per game through the air.

Total Defense

At 68th in the nation, Notre Dame’s defense is allowing 373 yards per game.

Georgia, at 9th overall, is allowing 243 yards per game.

Sacks

Notre Dame has four sacks in two games, so two a game, which is 95th in the nation.

Another bright spot for Georgia’s defense has been the pass rush. With 12 sacks through three games, Georgia is averaging four sacks a game, which is 9th overall.

Next: Special teams

Special teams breakdown

Punt returns

Notre Dame is averaging 5 yards per punt return, which is 92nd overall.

Georgia is averaging 17.11 yards per return, at 20th in the nation.

Kick returns

At 2667 yards per kickoff return, Notre Dame is 23rd in the nation.

Georgia, at 19.5 yards per kick return, ranks 76h nationally.

Opponent punt returns

Notre Dame has allowed two punt returns for a total of two yards. At 1.00 yard per return allowed, the Irish rank 12th.

Georgia, which has allowed two returns for 17 yards, ranks 80th in the nation, giving up an average of 8.5 yards per return.

Opponent kick returns

Notre Dame is allowing an average of 17.8 yards per kickoff return, which is 41st overall.

Thanks to the strong leg of Rodrigo Blankenship, not many see an opportunity to return a kickoff. Georgia, which has allowed four returns for an average of 13.5 yards per, ranks 6th in the country.