The first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff has presented some good matchups. Here is the 2025 Sugar Bowl Preview.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1)
Notre Dame won 11 games and currently has a 10-game win streak going. They defeated seven bowl-eligible teams in the regular season: Texas A&M, Miami (OH), Louisville, Georgia Tech, Navy, Army and USC. Their lone loss of the season was to Northern Illinois, who did make a bowl game. They defeated Indiana 27-17 in the CFP first round.
The Fighting Irish have scored a lot this season, as they average 39.8 points per game, ranking forth in the country. They pass for 196.8 yards (ranked 100th) and rush for 222.4 yards per game (ranked 11th).
Duke transfer Riley Leonard as operated the offense at the quarterback position. He has passed for 2,293 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions on 66.8 percent completion. Seven players have at least 200 receiving yards this season for the Fighting Irish. Clemson transfer Beaux Collins has been the leading receiver with 36 catches for 445 yards and two touchdowns.
Two running backs have created a great duo for Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love leads the team with 1,057 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Jadarian Price has been effective with 683 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Leonard has helped out from the quarterback position with his legs, putting up 75 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
The Fighting Irish defense allows 13.8 points per game, ranking third in the country. They give up 133 rushing yards and 162.3 passing yards per game. Jack Kiser has led the team with 69 total tackles this season. Rylie Mills has the team-high with 7.5 sacks, but he was injured in the first round of the CFP. Xavier Watts has been one of the best safeties in the country with eight passes defended and six interceptions.
Georgia Bulldogs (11-2)
Georgia won 11 games, including the SEC Championship Game to qualify as the no. 2 seed for the CFP. They won six games against bowl-eligible teams this season: Clemson, Texas (twice), Florida, Tenessee, and Georgia Tech. Both of their losses, to Alabama and Ole Miss, were to teams that qualified for bowl games.
The Bulldogs score 34.4 points per game, ranking 27th in the country. They pass for 284.6 yards (ranked 11th) and rush for 129.2 yards per game (ranked 98th).
Starting quarterback Carson Beck was injured in the SEC Championship Game and is out for the season. Backup Gunner Stockton will get the start after passing for 206 yards and one interception on 78.1 percent completion this season. Seven Bulldogs had at least 200 receiving yards this season. Arian Smith led the team with 750 yards and also had four touchdowns.
Two running backs get the bulk of the work for Georgia. Nate Frazier has been great as a freshman with 634 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Trevor Etienne has been solid as well with 571 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Defensively, the Bulldogs allow 20.4 points per game, ranking 21st in the country. They give up 208.7 passing yards and 127.8 rushing yards per game. Malaki Starks leads the team in tackles with 73 from the secondary. Jalon Walker and Chazz Chambliss are tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks. Dan Jackson has been impressive in the secondary with three passes defended and two interceptions.
Prediction
Georgia has been an offense that throws the ball a lot this season. It will be hard to maintain that offense with Beck injured. Notre Dame has played great defense to make things tougher. If Leonard can use his legs to pick up yards, the Fighting Irish can win.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 21 Georgia Bulldogs 17
Make sure to check out our college football page for more content like 2025 Sugar Bowl Preview!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!