It’s a blockbuster in every way
Notre Dame visits Georgia with goal of rejoining the list of elite programs
ATHENS, Ga. — Two years ago, this was the game that signaled Georgia’s return to national prominence.
Now, it’s a chance to solidify the Bulldogs’ standing as a perennial championship contender.
Third-ranked Georgia will play host to No. 7 Notre Dame Saturday night to wrap up a home-and-home series that was announced to great fanfare five summers ago. It’s only the third meeting between the powerhouse programs — and the first time the Fighting Irish have played between the famed hedges at Sanford Stadium.
“It’s going to be a wild one,” Georgia tight end Eli Wolf said. “There’s going to be a lot of hype around this game, but don’t get caught up in it. We’re here to do
one thing.”
In 2017, Notre Dame played host to the Bulldogs for the first time.
Cheered by thousands of red-clad fans who descended on Notre Dame, Ind., Georgia emerged with a 20-19 victory that propelled the Bulldogs all the way to a national championship appearance in Kirby Smart’s second season as coach.
“We just started to buy into the type of program Coach Smart wanted,” senior defensive end David Marshall recalled. “Once we did that, we started becoming a great team.”
For the return game against the Fighting Irish, Georgia has installed 500 extra bleacher seats at one end of the stadium, ensuring a record crowd of more than 93,000.
They probably could’ve sold another 100,000 seats, given the booming demand that drove prices into the thousands on secondary ticket markets.
“I know our guys will be excited to play. I know it will be an awesome atmosphere,” Smart said. “Our fans never fail when it comes to support and being there. It’ll be a record crowd with the additional seats. But, after that, it’s going to come down to football, and that’s what it always boils down to — who can block and tackle.”
Georgia (3-0) will be facing its first serious test after blowing out Vanderbilt, Murray State and Arkansas State by a combined score of 148-23.
Despite its top-10 ranking, Notre Dame (2-0) is a two-touchdown underdog to Georgia.
“I try to stay away from the noise,” said Notre Dame linebacker Asmar Bilal. “It’s like any other faceless, nameless opponent. We’re preparing like it’s any other game at this point. Our goal is to win a national championship. That’s our business. So we’re planning to go down there and win.”
Some other things to watch for when the Fighting Irish take on the Dawgs:
• Georgia relies on a power running game that comes at a defense in waves. D’Andre Swift is a stellar back who should be well-rested after getting limited carries in the past two games. Behind him, there are senior Brian Herrien, redshirt freshman Zamir White and freshman Kenny McIntosh — all of whom would be potential starters at most schools.
• Both teams are blessed with veteran quarterbacks who shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the moment. Georgia’s Jake Fromm is a three-year starter who has completed 75 percent of his passes for 601 yards, with five touchdowns and no interceptions. Notre Dame’s Ian Book took over the starting job early last season and led the Irish to a perfect mark during the regular season. He’s more of a dual threat than Fromm, having rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns in addition to leading Power Five quarterbacks with an average of 19.07 yards per completion.
• Georgia’s offensive line is anchored by preseason All-American Andrew Thomas at left tackle. The Bulldogs also are hoping for the return of right tackle Isaiah Wilson, a 340-pound sophomore who missed the previous two games (ankle). Notre Dame’s edge rushers are led by Julian Okwara, a second-team preseason All-American. He has 17 tackles behind the line and 10.5 sacks during his college career. Khalid Kareem, Daelin Hayes and Adetokunbo Ogundeji also can create havoc.
• The Bulldogs came into the season with scant experience at the receiving positions, but any fears of a letdown have been alleviated by a talented group of newcomers. Foremost is freshman George Pickens, who has made spectacular grabs each of the last two games and is drawing comparisons to former Bulldog great A.J. Green. Also keep an eye on freshman Dominick Blaylock, who is averaging 22.9 yards per catch.
• Notre Dame has struggled mightily in some of its biggest games, which probably accounts for Georgia being a heavy favorite. Under coach Brian Kelly, the Fighting Irish are 18-18 against ranked opponents and 3-7 facing top-10 teams. This is another chance for Notre Dame to prove it can compete with elite programs.