College Football Playoff Picks, Parlay for Georgia vs. Notre Dame
- Jeremiyah Love Anytime TD (-105)
- Georgia Alternate Team Total Under 28.5 Points (-295)
- Notre Dame Alternate Team Total Under 28.5 Points (-310)
- Georgia Moneyline (-111)
Parlay Odds: +781 (FanDuel)
Please always remember to bet responsibly. SGPs are long shots for a reason.
Notre Dame (12-1) became the first FBS team to win a CFP game on their home campus.
The Irish advanced to the quarterfinals to take on Georgia (11-2) in the Sugar Bowl.
After winning consecutive national championships, Georgia was left out of the final four-team playoff last season. This season, it earned a top-four seed by beating Texas in the SEC Championship Game. Georgia’s quest for another national title must continue without starting quarterback Carson Beck.
However, the Bulldogs are still favorites to advance to the semifinals, and I will be backing them in my Georgia vs. Notre Dame same game parlay for Thursday, Jan. 2.
College Football Playoff Odds for Georgia vs. Notre Dame
| Georgia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -115 | 45.5 -105o / -115u | -105 |
| Notre Dame Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -105 | 45.5 -105o / -115u | -115 |
- Spread: Georgia +1, Notre Dame -1
- Over/Under: 45.5
- Moneyline: Georgia -105, Notre Dame -115
Notre Dame Player Prop: Jeremiyah Love Anytime Touchdown (-105)
I'm backing Jeremiyah Love to find the end zone as he has often done this season.
Love has scored in every game this season, totaling 16 on top of his 1,057 rushing yards at 7.4 yards per carry. He's also added 224 receiving yards on 24 receptions with two touchdowns.
This season, Notre Dame has played Texas A&M, Louisville, Army, Navy, USC, and Indiana. Still, Georgia will be its toughest test.
However, that doesn't mean Love's streak won't continue.
Georgia allows 127.8 rushing yards per game and 1.1 rushing touchdowns per game. It has allowed seven rushing touchdowns in its last five games.
Love is a home run hitter and often one of the fastest players on the field. Love is a must-play at these odds, whether it is another long score or on the goal-line dive.
Team Totals: Georgia Under 28.5 (-295) & Notre Dame Under 28.5 (-310)
This CFP quarterfinal pits two of the nation's best defenses against each other.
Notre Dame ranks third in the FBS in scoring defense, allowing 13.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Georgia ranks 20th at 20.4 points per game.
On the surface, that would make the under (45.5) very appealing.
While I lean that away, we may have more leeway with these team totals.
In a few notable big games over the past few years, Notre Dame scored 10 and 14 points against Ohio State, 23 against Texas A&M, and 27 against Indiana.
Meanwhile, Georgia's offense has started slow this season and often does much of its scoring in the second half. Georgia scored 13 points at Kentucky, 10 points at Ole Miss, and 22 points in one of its two wins over Texas.
Additionally, Notre Dame and Georgia have met twice in the Kirby Smart era, which resulted in 20-19 and 23-17 Georgia victories.
I would not be surprised if this game script looked like the last CFP Semifinal between Alabama and Michigan. In that game, the running back (Blake Corum) who scored every other game did, neither team scored 28 points even with overtime, but it ended up going just over 45.5 points.
Moneyline: Georgia (-111)
Gunnar Stockton will start in place of Carson Beck, who suffered a UCL injury against Texas.
Stockton will be the first quarterback to make his first collegiate start in the CFP. Georgia won two national championships with a former walk-on at quarterback, but that is not Stockton's pedigree. Stockton is one of 14 former five-stars on Georgia's roster, and he also adds more mobility than Beck, so expect a few more designed runs.
Stockton posted a modest stat line against Texas but led the Bulldogs to 19 of their 22 points in the second half and overtime. Stockton may not have to light it up to help Georgia win this game.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has accounted for 32 total touchdowns and six interceptions, but he is not a prolific passer. Leonard has averaged just 176.3 passing yards per game this season. Typically, teams must beat Georgia through the air, and Notre Dame may not have the requisite passing attack.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame will be without standout defensive tackle Rylie Mills, who leads the team with 7.5 sacks. Notre Dame enters this matchup allowing 133 rushing yards per game. Georgia could succeed in that department behind lead-backs Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier.
Additionally, I have to side with Kirby Smart over Marcus Freeman in a big game.
Over the last four years, Georgia has lost four games, three of which have been to Alabama. Since 2016, Smart has gone 37-15 against ranked opponents, 9-5 against top-five opponents and 5-1 in the CFP.
Conversely, this will be just the second CFP game for Marcus Freeman.
Georgia often has the more talented team, which will be the case again. According to 247Sports, Georgia has the second-best roster in the country, while Notre Dame has the ninth-best roster.
Smart always motivates his teams for these spots. With a better roster and head coach, I must back the Bulldogs in this matchup.
