Season stats for Notre Dame vs Georgia (or why the Irish should be favored)

Whatever happened to the old fanshots section? I hadn’t really planned on writing a whole post, just providing a link to an article that summarized all of the reasons ND really should be considered the favorite in the Sugar Bowl. So here I am having to actually write out an entire post. Oh the life…

Georgia entered the season with all the pomp and circumstance you’d expect from a team fresh off two national championships in the last three years. Ranked #1 and everyone’s favorite pick to three-peat, they kicked things off in dominant fashion by dismantling a supposedly strong Clemson squad in Week 1. The “ESS-EEE-SEE! ESS-EEE-SEE!” chants were deafening. But then came Kentucky.

In a shocking turn, Georgia barely scraped by with a 13-12 win over the Wildcats. Yes, Kentucky. A game marred by an overturned Pick-6 that could have flipped the result and an offense that looked completely adrift, the Bulldogs survived more than they won. And it didn’t get better from there.

The following week in Tuscaloosa, the Dawgs looked shell-shocked from their near miss. Alabama, despite their own issues, came out swinging and stormed to a 28-0 lead before Georgia could even blink. While the Bulldogs managed to put points on the board later, the damage was done, and the Tide rolled on. Looking back now, with Alabama’s glaring flaws becoming more evident, that loss casts an even darker shadow over Georgia’s season.

Then there was the Ole Miss debacle and the marathon against Georgia Tech on Thanksgiving. Four overtimes to beat Georgia Tech is not the stuff of legends—it’s the stuff of memes (and this coming from a Jackets Alumn). These games solidified what was already becoming painfully clear: Georgia is not playing like an elite team this year.

All of this underscores a significant downturn for a program with sky-high expectations. The Bulldogs’ talent pipeline and championship pedigree might keep them competitive, but this season has revealed cracks in their armor. Whether it’s a temporary blip or the beginning of a larger issue remains to be seen, but for now, Georgia’s struggles serve as a reminder that even dynasties can wobble.

Of course, in true SEC fashion, rival fans will have their fun. (Yes, we see you, “Roll Toilets.”) But for Georgia, it’s back to the drawing board—and maybe a long, hard look in the mirror.

Now that I have my official word count, I can get to the link I meant to originally post:

Georgia vs ND Season Stats

I made a comment on a thread recently that the only reason Vegas has UGA as a 1.5 pt favorite right now is simply because of their name. If you look into any major stat, either simple or advanced ND comes out on top in just about every category. Here are a few that really will tell the tale IMO:

Yards per play

1. Notre Dame: No. 13 overall: 6.64 yards per play.
2. Georgia: No. 45 overall, No. 8 in the SEC: 6.11 yards per play

Total defense (yards allowed per game)

1. Notre Dame: No. 8 overall: 295.3 yards allowed
2. Georgia: No. 35 overall, No. 9 in the SEC: 336.5 yards allowed

Scoring offense

1. Notre Dame: No. 4 overall: 38.8 points per game
2. Georgia: No. 29 overall, No. 5 in the SEC: 33.2 points per game

Scoring defense

1. Notre Dame:No. 3 overall: 13.8 points allowed
2. Georgia: No. 21 overall, No. 7 in the SEC: 20.4 points allowed

Notre Dame holds clear advantages over Georgia in several key areas, making a strong case for their superiority this season. Offensively, Notre Dame outpaces Georgia by a considerable margin, both in production and efficiency. On defense, while the gap isn’t as pronounced, the Irish still hold a significant edge, with more consistency and impact across all phases.

What truly sets Notre Dame apart, however, is the sheer number and quality of their dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball. Whether it’s explosive skill players on offense or disruptive defenders capable of flipping a game, the Irish roster appears deeper and more versatile. Meanwhile, Georgia is navigating a transition at quarterback with a sophomore at the helm—an undoubtedly talented player but one still finding his footing in the big moments.

It’s worth noting that advanced stats, which we know Hayden will dive into soon, may shed even more light on the nuances of these comparisons. For now, though, the eye test and baseline observations highlight a team in Notre Dame that feels more complete and prepared to execute at an elite level. Just some food for thought as we gear up for the deeper analysis.