The Notre Dame football 2024 season has been nothing but a domination. The Fighting Irish are rising as a dark horse favorite to win the national championship, but first have to get through their toughest opponent so far in Georgia Bulldogs.
The blue and gold are trying to make history and get their first win over Georgia in program history, but also win 13 games in a season for the first time as well. The Fighting Irish and the Bulldogs face off tonight at 7:45pm.
Here are three reasons why Notre Dame football will leave the Sugar Bowl with a win and secure their first New Year Six Bowl win in over three decades.
Notre Dame football's quarterback play stands out
Notre dame enters the Sugar Bowl with not only the more experienced quarterback, but the overall more talented quarterback. Riley Leonard has found his rhythm throwing the ball as of late as he has 11 touchdowns since October with only three interceptions. He has thrown a touchdown in last six games and completing 75% of his passes over the last three weeks.
Leonard has found the end zone on 15 occasions this season, which is the most in a single season by a Notre Dame quarterback in program history. Leonard 15 rushing touchdowns ranks 17 in all positions, and 3rd among quarterbacks.
As for the Bulldogs they will be led by Gunnar Stockton, who will make his first collegiate start. Stockton help guide Georgia to win the SEC championship, but he showed key weaknesses. With Georgia rushing attack not being like it has in the past the Irish defense should be able to send a blitz and rely on their secondary. Gunner Stockton had a ugly interception in the SEC championship game and Irish fans are hoping Xavier Watts can continue his ball hawk skills. Stockton inexperience should give Irish defense a great opportunity to capitalize and force turnovers, as the Irish lead the nation in turnover ratio.
Explosive runs
Notre Dame run game is led by Jeremiyah Love but has sidekick in Jadarian Price and Riley Leonard. This trio causes havoc and can hit a home run run at any point of the game. Love has the longest run in College Football playoff history after his 98 yard touchdown run against Indiana. Love averages 7.4 yards per carry, as he has 1,057 rushing yards on 142 carries. He also has a rushing touchdown in every game this season and a total rushing touchdowns of 16.
The Fighting Irish rushing attack ranks 10 in 20 plus yards rushing plays with 28 plays and rank 5 with 17 plays that went for 30 or more yards. The stat doesn't stop there, as they have 11 rushing plays that went for 40 yards or more that is 4 in FBS and they have the second most 50 plus rushing yard plays in FBS with 8.
Price found the end zone on two rushing plays over 60 yards, as in week 3 against Purdue, he ran for a 70 yard touchdown and in week 13 against Florida State he ran for a 65 yard touchdown. Twenty of Price's 100 carries have gone for 10 or more yards, which is tied for 4th best among running backs. Price has 683 yards on the ground for the Irish and averages 6.8 yards per carry.
Georgia's rushing attack
Georgia has been known to have one of the better rushing attacks in the country, however this year has been a historically bad rushing attack for this Bulldogs offense. They average just 129 yards on the ground per game, which ranks 100. Trevor Etienne leads the way for the Bulldogs with 571 yards on 111 carries.
The Fighting Irish defense is fast, athletics and physical and holds their opponents to just 133 yards on the ground per game which is top 40 in the country. Their red zone defense ranks ninth in FBS, allowing points just 73% of the time, and their third-down conversion defense is eighth, giving up just a 30% success rate. They have given up the fifth least amount of touchdown with 22 and have one of the best playmakers on defense in Xavier Watts. This Irish defense will be without star defensive linemen, Rylie Mills, but players like Howard Cross and Bryce Young are expected to step up and lead the Irish defensive front.
The Notre Dame football looks to turn the page and start 2025 off with a bang and advance to the semifinals to face Penn State.