ISD Game Predictions: Georgia
It’s that time again! The Irish travel to Athens to play No. 3 Georgia in the first big game of the year. The Irish are a 14+ point underdogs as of now, and hardly anyone is picking the Irish to beat Georgia on Saturday. What about the ISD crew? What though the odds be great or small?
Mike Frank
This seems like a game where Notre Dame would normally rise up to the occasion. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen this much contempt for a Notre Dame football team. We’ve seen the Irish disrespected many times before and show up to serve up a big ol’ #$@% sandwich. As Irish fans, there are no sweeter days than those days.
And I really, really want to pick the Irish in this game, but I just can’t. Georgia’s strengths line up almost perfectly against Notre Dame’s weaknesses. This is one game I wish was played later in the year as I think the Irish would have a better chance to win if it were, but you have to play them when they’re scheduled.
I do believe the team will play hard. I do think they will make a game of it for awhile and make Irish fans proud, but in the end, the Georgia O-line will take over this game and win it in the fourth quarter.
Georgia 37 Notre Dame 24
Matt Freeman
Troy Pride Jr. starts the game with a pick-six and Notre Dame takes the early momentum. As you’d expect, Georgia gains it back by running for over 200 yards in the first half alone. However, the good news for Notre Dame is Clark Lea’s defense holds firm in the red zone as the Dawgs settle for a couple of Rodrigo Blankenship field goal along with a D’Andre Swift touchdown to lead 13-7 at the half.
Ian Book comes out gunning the second half as he connects with Chase Claypool seven times in the half for 104 yards and one score in the third quarter to give the Irish a brief lead.
What would be a big game for Notre Dame without a special teams mistake, right? Georgia houses the kickoff following the Claypool touchdown to turn Sanford Stadium into a mosh pit and the Dawgs lead 20-14 after three.
After a cool light show to start the fourth quarter, Notre Dame responds with a nice drive where Tony Jones Jr. rips off a 23-yard run and Jon Doerer hits a 36-yard field goal to trim the lead to 20-17.
Both teams trade blows over the next few drives before Swift rips off a backbreaking 66-yard score with 3:19 seconds left in the game to give Georgia a 27-17 advantage.
Notre Dame scored a touchdown late as Book finds Lawrence Keys III late, but it’s not enough as the Dawgs win after the extra point is blocked.
Georgia 27 Notre Dame 23
Jamie Uyeyama
When looking at this game, I don't believe Notre Dame has to play perfect to win it. But a lot has to go right, which means they have to not only play their best game of the season so far, but one of the best games they have played in the last few years given how talented their opponent is.
I see the Notre Dame defense stepping up and giving the Irish a chance. The best players are going to play their best, but the waves of athletes that they will have to defend is going to make it difficult.
On offense, I don't believe they can win this game scoring on long drives. Big plays will be needed and they'll have a few, but those will have to finish in touchdowns because things will get squeezed in the red zone.
I think it will be close for awhile, but eventually it will be too much depth and talent for Notre Dame to overcome.
Georgia 31 Notre Dame 17
Christian McCollum
The Irish once again prove they belong on the stage with the nation’s best, but they once again come up short.
Notre Dame puts together its best performance of the year to date and quarterback Ian Book looks like the Ian Book of 2018, consistently making enough plays to move the chains against the tough Bulldog defense. Without much going with the running game, Book throws for more than 300 yards with Chase Claypool leading the way with over 100 receiving yards and two scores.
But the Irish offense is unable to come up with one last drive in the fourth quarter to take the lead.
On the other hand, the Georgia offense isn’t quite electric and Bulldog quarterback Jake Fromm is frustrated most of the night. Instead, Georgia relies on its running game and D’Andre Swift proves to be the difference, both in giving the Bulldogs the lead and running out the clock in the fourth quarter.
Georgia 31 Notre Dame 28