The Georgia Bulldogs are set to play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. Before the matchup, Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt gave his prediction on how the game will go via his podcast on YouTube.
Here is everything Joel Klatt had to say on the Sugar Bowl
On a way Georgia can win the game:
“Which Georgia do we get? I think that answer is very dependent on their defensive line,” said Klatt. “There are some games where their defensive line is totally dominant, and if that shows up, then they can win this game.”
On how teams take advantage of the Bulldogs run defense:
“I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that with Milroe and Haynes King (against Alabama and Georgia Tech), the quarterbacks can run, so the mobility of the quarterback became a real issue for Georgia.”
On the Georgia offense:
“This Georgia offense is just ok. Georgia was 15th out of 16 (SEC) teams in rushing this year, and they’re starting their backup quarterback. You can’t trust in the (Georgia) running game. It was very clear with all the hoopla in the second half (of the SEC championship) with Gunner Stockton that they were very scared to throw the ball.”
Georgia still moved the ball effectively in the second half against Texas with Stockton at quarterback.
On Notre Dame’s defense:
“Notre Dame is very good defensively. They’ve got the third best pass defenses in the country. Notre Dame is too good defensively. They’re very similar to Texas. They force a lot of turnovers, they’re exciting to watch defensively. Marcus Freeman has this team totally changed. This is a better defense than any of the defenses that Brian Kelly had.”
On Notre Dame’s offense:
“Now, they’ve got an offense that can lean on the run game and, namely, a quarterback that can run the football as well. I love Jeremiyah Love too, and you incorporate that with Riley Leonard’s ability to run the football, and I think Georgia could be in trouble.”
On why Notre Dame wins the Sugar Bowl:
“You’re going to face a Notre Dame team that is built to give Georgia’s defense problems. Yes, Georgia’s in trouble. I think Notre Dame can absolutely win this game.”
He predicted the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win 24-17, even with Georgia being a 1.5 point favorite.