Penn State, Ohio State and Texas have advanced to the Final Four of the College Football Playoff, but due to the tragedy in New Orleans that took place on New Year’s Eve, the Sugar Bowl was postponed about 20 hours. Notre Dame and Georgia will kickoff at 4pm from NOLA. Here’s how I’m betting the game.
Notre Dame vs. Georgia (Allstate Sugar Bowl)
Notre Dame is having a terrific season, outside of the inexplicable loss to Northern Illinois, but the Irish also haven’t stepped into the same weight class as Georgia. You can flip this and say that Georgia has had its struggles against the best competition, but the Bulldogs played an insane schedule this season, and are well tested. I bet this one on the opener, and UGA flipped to the favorite, before coming back to about a pick’em.
Carson Beck being out for this game is the storyline, but he really wasn’t having all that great of a season. It was Gunner Stockton that led the comeback victory over Texas in the SEC Championship Game, and I feel he’s equipped to play on this stage. Stockton made good reads against Texas, both throwing the ball, and showing the ability to get out a run a bit when he needs to. While this is the best ND team we’ve seen in recent years, it’s going to have to deal with an elite Georgia defense that it hasn’t faced often. Texas simply wasn’t able to run the ball against UGA, 60 rushing yards on 55 carries in their two meetings this season. The Irish should have more success than that, but if they have difficulty establishing the run, that would be a huge advantage for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs’ schedule sharpened them for this game, and I give the coaching edge to Kirby Smart, who has been in a lot of these big games against quality competition. I’ve had UGA as my champion all along, and have a ticket on them to win it all. I won’t be backing down now.
Play: Georgia +1.5 (-110) – 2.5-units (Would play UGA to a small favorite)
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
The contents contained in this article do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment.
