Notre Dame football title hopes surged to an all-time high after the Fighting Irish got a positive national media spotlight ahead of their Sugar Bowl showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs. The Fighting Irish true fate was revealed and give Notre Dame football fans hope.
The Fighting Irish have been told by many media outlets that they have the most to prove, but this analyst for Fox Sports got on the Ryen Russillo Show and has all the confidence that Notre Dame will win and win confidently.
Notre Dame football's chances at CFP glory rises with expert intel
Joel Klatt was on the Ryen Russillo Show Dec. 28 and was asked about this showdown between the Irish and Bulldogs and highly praised this Marcus Freeman led squad. Despite being winless against the Bulldogs, and the brand name of the Georgia Bulldogs, Klatt loves this Irish offense and defense in this matchup.
Notre Dame has won seven consecutive games against ranked opponents and will look for eight and their first New Year Six bowl win since 1994. Klatt did a deep dive into both sides of the ball and started off with Georgia offensively struggles.
“If you watch some of the games Georgia struggles against, their skilled position players don’t give Beck any help whatsoever.” Klatt stated as Georgia leads the nation in dropped passes. “Now you will tell me a quarterback is going to make his first start and all of a sudden they will be better offensively? That is not a thing. That is hoping for hope sake. That is believing in the logo.”
Georgia backup quarterback, Gunner Stockton, will make his first collegiate start against a highly praised Irish defense. Stockton was only seen in three games this season, including the SEC Championship win over Texas.
“Notre Dame defense is one of the better defenses in the country.” Klatt stated. “They are fast, athletic, physical. Georgia is not going to run up and down the field on them.”
Notre Dame football defense has the best turnover margin in the FBS, as they are led by the All-American, Xavier Watts. The Fighting Irish are top three in points allowed per game at just 13.8 and have limited opponents to just 162.3 passing yards per game, the fourth best 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.
When Klatt looked to the offensive side of the ball, he loves the matchup of Riley Leonard vs this Georgia Bulldog defense. Klatt even called Riley Leonard a better version of Haynes King who threw for 300 yards and ran for 110 yards with five total touchdowns in the epic matchup between Georgia and Georgia Tech.
“This Georgia team struggles against mobile guys who are willing to run and can be a threat in the run game on the outside. “Klatt stated “This matchup to me favors Notre Dame and it is not just Stockton, it is everything. If Beck was playing, I would pick Notre Dame. Now Stockton is playing, and I am definitely picking Notre Dame”
Leonard averages 57.8 rushing yards per game on just 10 attempts, totaling 751 yards for the season. Among quarterbacks, he ranks 10th in the FBS and 2nd in Power Four conferences. He has rushed for 15 touchdowns this season, which is the most in a single season by a Notre Dame quarterback in program history. Leonard 15 rushing touchdowns ranks 17th in all positions, and 3rd among quarterbacks.
Notre Dame ranks third in total touchdowns with 68, is top four in points per game at 38.8. They average an impressive 222.4 rushing yards per game, placing them in the top 10 in the nation.
Notre Dame football hopes to defeat the odds and punch their ticket to the semifinals with a win over Georgia. Joel Klatt loves the Fighting Irish in this showdown on New Years Day and thinks the Irish should win this game and has a shot at the National Championship.