Notre Dame Football: Key Defensive Matchups vs. Georgia

2 of 3

ATHENS, GA – SEPTEMBER 14: D’Andre Swift #7, George Pickens #1, and Dominick Blaylock #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrate Swift’s touchdown during the first half of a game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Sanford Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Linebackers vs Georgia Running Backs

Similar to past seasons, Georgia has a wealth of talent at the running back position. The lead back in the group is junior D’Andre Swift.

Irish fans might remember Swift from the last meeting between these two teams in 2017. He only had two carries in that contest, but one of them went for 40 yards and set up a touchdown late in the third quarter. Two years later, Swift is one of the top running backs in the country and is projected to be selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Behind Swift are senior Brian Herrien, sophomore James Cook, and redshirt freshman Zamir White, who was rated as the ninth-best prospect in the nation in 2018. The Irish defense can expect to see all three in Saturday’s game. Georgia will likely run the ball plenty of times, and Swift cannot shoulder that entire workload.

The Notre Dame linebackers have their work cut out for them this weekend. Not only will they have to contain a group of talented running backs, but they will also have to do so while fighting through the blocks of an offensive line that routinely makes it to the second level while run blocking.

After three weeks of the season, Georgia is ranked 5th in the FBS in rushing yards per attempt with an average of 7.6 yards. If the Irish want to have chance to win on Saturday, they need to limit Bulldog rushing attack to somewhere round five yards per attempt.

Home/Notre Dame Football