• Georgia vs Notre Dame is the matchup in Sugar Bowl CFP Quarterfinal
• Opening Georgia vs Notre Dame odds favor the Irish
• Read below for Georgia vs Notre Dame odds and early prediction

The opening Georgia vs Notre Dame odds hit the board late Friday after the Fighting Irish punched their ticket to the quarterfinal in the CFP Bracket. With the uncertainty surrounding Carson Beck’s injury, oddsmakers have installed Notre Dame as slight 1.5-point favorites for this January 1st clash in Atlanta.

These two storied programs have met three times previously, with Georgia winning all three previous matchups. Their last meeting was a 23-17 Bulldogs win back in 2019.

Let’s break down the opening Georgia vs Notre Dame odds and offer our early Sugar Bowl prediction for New Year’s Day.

Georgia vs Notre Dame Odds – Sugar Bowl Quarterfinal

The initial Georgia vs Notre Dame look-ahead line had Georgia slightly favored at most books. However, the line has flipped to favor ND following Carson Beck injury news.

Notre Dame’s -118 moneyline price implies oddsmakers believe there’s a 53.6% chance the Fighting Irish will win this CFP quarterfinal game.

Kickoff for the Sugar Bowl is set for 8:45 PM ET on January 1st at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. ESPN will broadcast the game nationally.

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Odds as of December 20th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the DraftKings new user promo for this CFP quarterfinal matchup.

Bulldogs Betting Analysis

All eyes are on Georgia’s quarterback situation heading into this one. The Bulldogs somehow survived the SEC Championship without Carson Beck, but beating Notre Dame with a backup QB is a different challenge entirely.

The Dawgs showed their championship DNA in that wild 22-19 OT win over Texas. Backup Gunner Stockton wasn’t perfect (12/16, 71 yards, 1 INT) but made enough plays when it mattered. Trevor Etienne was the real difference maker, grinding out 94 yards and two scores, including the walk-off TD.

Georgia’s defense continues to be elite, holding Texas to just 19 points and 389 yards of offense. They’ll need another monster performance with their offense likely limited.

Carson Beck Injury Update

The news isn’t good for Georgia’s starting quarterback. Beck suffered a UCL injury to his throwing elbow on the final play of the first half against Texas. He’s now exploring surgical options, making his return for the playoff highly unlikely.

Georgia QB Carson Beck is expected to be OUT for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, per @PeteNakos_ pic.twitter.com/4oMMAAVBOM

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 19, 2024

This is a massive blow for the Bulldogs’ offense. Beck has thrown for over 7,400 yards and 50 TDs while leading Georgia to a 24-3 record over the past two seasons.

Stockton will likely get the start against Notre Dame. The redshirt sophomore has completed 37 of 51 passes for 354 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs in his limited career action.

The injury concerns don’t stop at quarterback for UGA:

• RB Branson Robinson (knee) – Status uncertain
  RB Trevor Etienne (ribs) – Status uncertain
• P Brett Thorson – Out (knee surgery)
• DE Joseph Jonah-Ajonye – Out (leg surgery)

Irish Betting Analysis

Notre Dame looks like a team peaking at the perfect time. The Irish just dominated Indiana 27-17 in the opening round, with their defense suffocating the Hoosiers to just 278 total yards. The Irish controlled most of the game before letting Indiana back in with two late touchdowns.

Riley Leonard was efficient if unspectacular (23/32, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT). The ground game remained the bright spot, with Jeremiyah Love racking up 108 yards and a score on just eight carries. Marcus Freeman’s offense totaled 194 rushing yards on the ground.

9⃣8⃣ yards

Jeremiyah Love is a BAD MAN#GoIrish

pic.twitter.com/gvqCzg66p3

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) December 21, 2024

The Irish have been rolling all season, sitting at 11-1 with wins over ranked Texas A&M and Florida State. Their only blemish? A shocking 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois as 27.5-point favorites.

Some notable wins on their resume:

• Knocked off #20 Texas A&M 23-13 in opener
• Crushed Florida State 52-3
• Dominated Purdue 66-7
• Gutsy road win at Louisville 31-24

The numbers tell the story of Notre Dame’s dominance. They lead the nation in point differential at +26.3 per game, and that defensive performance against Indiana (11 points allowed, 131 total yards) shows they’re peaking at the right time.

Georgia vs Notre Dame Early Prediction

Don’t be too worried about the line movement towards the Irish. While Carson Beck’s injury is significant, Georgia’s path to victory doesn’t change much – lean on that elite defense and control the ground game with Trevor Etienne.

Notre Dame looked solid in their 27-17 win over Indiana, but those late defensive lapses are concerning heading into a matchup with Georgia. The Irish defense, which had been suffocating for three quarters, allowed Indiana’s Kyle Rourke to finish with 215 yards and two scores through the air.

Furthermore, Notre Dame’s playoff history against blue-blood programs is concerning. Before this season’s expansion, the Irish were 0-2 in previous playoff appearances, getting outclassed by both Alabama (31-14) and Clemson (30-3).

The Sugar Bowl matchup is set.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/cuBd7bXcED

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) December 21, 2024

Sure, UGA pivot Gunner Stockton is inexperienced, but he showed poise in relief during the SEC title game. Georgia’s championship DNA and Notre Dame’s tendency to shrink in these spots makes the Bulldogs +1.5 the value play here.

In what should be a defensive battle, take the championship-caliber team and the points. The Under 45.5 is also a strong early lean given UGA’s QB situation and both teams likely looking to control the clock with their elite rushing attacks.

Sugar Bowl Early Picks:

• Georgia +1.5 (-110)
• Under 45.5 (-110)

The post Opening Georgia vs Notre Dame Odds & Early Prediction – Sugar Bowl CFP Quarterfinal appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.