The first round of the College Football Playoff and a heavy majority of FBS bowl season games are already done. It's time for the best of the best teams in all of college football to shine down the stretch as they chase a national championship.

Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are set to face off against Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinals game of the College Football Playoff on Wednesday, January 1st at 8:45pm ET. Which team will come away victorious, landing themselves in the semifinals of the first ever 12-Team College Football Playoff?

Notre Dame ranks second in adjusted EPA per play and first in pass success rate allowed among all FBS teams on defense. They have shown some cracks here and there in run defense, but the Fighting Irish have looked untouchable since their early season collapse against Northern Illinois in September, winning 11 games in a row. When Georgia's pass rush is firing on all cylinders they have completely destroyed opposing offenses. Ten Bulldogs defenders have racked up 13+ pass rush pressures and eight have multiple sacks. However, regardless of how well the defense plays, can quarterback Gunner Stockton lead the offense to success in place of an injured Carson Beck?

Heading into this epic quarterfinal matchup between the Bulldogs and Fighting Irish, media members of A to Z Sports who cover both teams decided to weigh in, sharing their predictions for this massive playoff game. The picks are in. Enjoy!

Notre Dame 20, Georgia 19

Georgia has one of the best–if not the best–roster top to bottom in the College Football Playoff, but they haven't been playing like a typical Kirby Smart team all year long with consistency. The resilience that the Bulldogs team showed when Carson Beck was injured just before halftime against Texas in the SEC Championship was amazing, but now that Notre Dame's defense has had significant time to prepare for Gunner Stockton it might be tough to find offensive success for four quarters of football.

Star linebacker Jalon Walker, elite edge defender Mykel Williams, and do-everything defensive back Malaki Starks will likely limit Notre Dame's quarterback Riley Leonard as a passer all game long, leading to a low-scoring affair. However, Georgia has showed vulnerability against the better rushing attacks they have faced. The dynamic running back duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price mixed with dual threat QB Riley Leonard will help Notre Dame convert critical downs all game as they win a tight one, moving on to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. – Travis May

Notre Dame 27, Georgia 21

Notre Dame has yet to beat Georgia in recent years but the odds are really in their favor this time around, and it's not just because quarterback Carson Beck will be sidelined, replaced by inexperienced sophomore backup Gunner Stockton. The Fighting Irish hold the key to victory with star rusher Jeremiyah Love against a shaky Bulldogs run defense. Also, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard might not have much trouble throwing it downfield for big plays considering Georgia's secondary is full of disappointments. None of this means that Bulldogs are going to be an easy battle, but there are just too many factors for the Irish to take advantage of and pull off a win. – Kelsey Kramer

The advanced stats have a favorite in the Notre Dame vs Georgia Sugar Bowl, and it is by the smallest of margins

We have a projected winner.

Notre Dame 20, Georgia 16

Whatever the over-under is, take the under. Notre Dame has a very good defense and is facing off against an inexperienced quarterback in Gunner Stockton, and a very underwhelming running game. This will also be the best defensive line that the Irish have faced this year, so expect a lower scoring affair. This one will come down to the last couple of minutes. – Ryan Roberts

Georgia 27, Notre Dame 24

I’m simply going with Kirby Smart over Marcus Freeman in this one. I think the best coach in college football will have his backup quarterback ready to play with extended preparation. While I don’t think this is the same Georgia we have seen the last couple of years, I don’t think they’re one-and-done in the CFP. Riley Leonard is going to have to beat the best team Notre Dame has seen all year with his arm at some point and I’m not sure he can do that. – Brandon Little

Gunner Stockton is already winning Georgia fans over with his simple man lifestyle

This guy rocks.

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