The Notre Dame football team plays in one of the biggest games in its program history on New Year’s Day. Who they are playing is part of the reason it’s such a big game.
The Georgia Bulldogs, even without Carson Beck under center, are one of the “Big Bads” of college football. And the Fighting Irish are lining up to knock them off. To end Kirby Smart’s strangle hold on the sport.
So what is Smart most worried about when it comes to Notre Dame football? The same thing any coach should be worried about. The team’s “physicality” on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Notre Dame football’s physicality has Kirby Smart nervous for New Year’s
“The physicality I see when I watch Notre Dame play is pretty incredible on both lines of scrimmag,” Smart said earlier this week in preparation for the Sugar Bowl. “The way they play, the style of play they have.”
That style of play has led the Fighting Irish to 11 straight wins. Yes, the team can pass the ball when it needs to, but it’s become a team that will also ram the ball down opponents’ throats. When Jeremiyah Love is healthy, they have two very good backs.
And then there’s Riley Leonard at quarterback. A big, fast and strong signal-caller who is hard to tackle once he takes off.
Georgia’s defense is one of the best in the country. But they haven’t faced an offense that pounds opposing defenses like Notre Dame football does. And the Irish then get to rely on a defense that has been out-physicalling the teams it’s played all season long.