Notre Dame football score predictions: Fighting Irish vs. Georgia national picks

Here are the national expert predictions for Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Bleacher Report: Notre Dame 20, Georgia 17

David Kenyon: “The main story of the Sugar Bowl is Georgia will be starting Gunner Stockton at quarterback now that Carson Beck has undergone season-ending elbow surgery. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t influence my opinion.

“By no means am I counting out UGA; coach Kirby Smart has always found a way to create ‘us against everyone’ narratives. Two national championships and many marquee wins later, it clearly works well. So hey, ether me in a pregame speech, but I’m siding with a physical, defense-driven Notre Dame squad over UGA and a backup QB.”

The Sporting News: Georgia 24, Notre Dame 17

Bill Bender: “Georgia backup quarterback Gunner Stockton will be the focus. He is starting in place of Carson Beck (elbow), and he’s up against the Irish, the only team in the country with a passer efficiency defense rating below 100. That means Stockton must make high-percentage throws against a secondary that features SN All-American Xavier Watts. Will Georgia establish a running game with Trevor Etienne against Notre Dame’s interior defense with Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills (knee) out? 

“Look for Notre Dame to take a cue from Georgia Tech in the running game with Riley Leonard, who has the benefit of three running backs who average more than 6.0 yards per carry in Jeremiyah Love (7.4 ypc.), Jadarian Price (6.8 ypc.) and Aneyas Williams (6.6 ypc.). That should open up the passing game. The Irish are 3-3 S/U and 4-1-1 ATS as an underdog with Marcus Freeman. Georgia was 0-2 S/U when favored by three points or less this season. Despite those trends, we will go with the rested Bulldogs.”

CBS Sports: Notre Dame 23, Georgia 19

Dennis Dodd: “While Stockton looked capable against Texas, going against the Notre Dame defense is different. Forget the Irish gave up 557 yards to USC in the regular-season finale. When it counted against Indiana, ND completely smothered Kurtis Rourke. This game has that look. Stockton is going to have to throw to win. Leonard has more career touchdowns (75) than Stockton has career pass attempts (51). This is a turn-the-corner moment for the Irish, who haven’t won a major bowl in 30 years. In this game, the defense can stand toe-to-toe with the Dawgs having won 11 in a row since the Northern Illinois game. Marcus Freeman has low key developed into one of the best coaches in the country.”

Fox Sports: Georgia -2

“Here’s another example of a conference champ that’s probably wondering if they were better off losing their conference title game. Georgia takes on a Notre Dame team that is perhaps underrated because critics still judge the Irish on their past failures in big spots. 

“Is this team different? Maybe. But I’m going to go with Kirby Smart with extra time to prep and a Georgia team that played a much tougher schedule than Notre Dame.”

Pro Football Focus

Max Chadwick: Notre Dame 24, Georgia 21

“This game could end up in the teens. This will come down to which rushing attack finds more success and who can find a handful of explosives in their passing attacks. While Georgia’s defense is incredibly well-coached, I have more faith in Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Love to make some timely plays than I do with a quarterback who’s making his first career start in Gunner Stockton. Notre Dame wins the Sugar Bowl and will play either Boise State or Penn State in the semifinal.”

Dalton Wasserman: Notre Dame 20, Georgia 13

“This game is bound to be ugly and physical. Georgia’s stout run defense and Kirby Smart’s game planning give the Bulldogs more than a puncher’s chance to win. However, it’s hard to envision their passing game having a ton of success unless Mike Bobo calls a near-perfect game. Similar to the Texas A&M game that Notre Dame started the year with, the Fighting Irish will get enough out of the ground game while their defense carries them to victory.”

Newsweek

Matt Levine: Notre Dame 24, Georgia 20

“This game could come down to simply which defense steps up. With Beck ruled out for this contest, the Bulldogs will need to rely on Stockton to get them through. It is a lot for a backup to ask but Georgai believes in his abilities. The Bulldogs have looked as vulnerable as they have in a while this season and Notre Dame could exploit some things.

The Fighting Irish have a loaded defense that can create real problems for the Bulldogs. Georgia won’t go down easily but in the end, I think Notre Dame eliminates the Bulldogs.”

Ricardo Sandoval: Georgia 24, Notre Dame 20

“The Georgia Bulldogs will be without their star quarterback, Carson Beck, who is out for a year after undergoing surgery earlier this week to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right throwing elbow. Notre Dame should have the edge at quarterback as they have Riley Leoanrd on their side. While they have the edge on paper in the most important position, the Bulldogs have been there and done that. I believe the Bulldogs have enough to get back to the semi-final round.”

Valentina Martinez: Notre Dame 34, Georgia 28

“Georgia’s biggest challenge in this matchup is the absence of quarterback Carson Beck. Going up against one of the most physical teams in the nation, the Bulldogs likely won’t be able to pull through in the end.”

Ryan Stano: Notre Dame 21, Georgia 17

“Even though Carson Beck has been mostly bad this season, thrusting Gunnar Stockton into this situation is a lot for a backup quarterback. Any throws he makes will likely be outside the hashes as Georgia looks to protect him from making mistakes over the middle. Notre Dame is hot, though, and Riley Leonard’s dual-threat ability will give Georgia fits.”

Urban Meyer: Georgia to cover

Meyer: “Vegas is amazing. I stare at these point spreads and I think they’re right on. However, with Notre Dame, how are the players going to respond when they see a high draft pick across from them? Because they haven’t seen that.”