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Georgia vs. Notre Dame: Preview, predictions, TV schedule and more

By John Buhler

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Brandon Wimbush (7) handles the football during the NCAA football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Brandon Wimbush (7) handles the football during the NCAA football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 24: Nick Chubb No. 27 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Bulldogs 45-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 24: Nick Chubb No. 27 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Bulldogs 45-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Final prediction

While there might be other big-time games on the college football slate in Week 2, this one between Georgia and Notre Dame might be the closest. Neither team looks to be championship caliber in the early part of the season. Though Notre Dame handled the Temple Owls and Georgia the Appalachian State Mountaineers in Week 1, this is the game that could define their seasons.

A win for the Fighting Irish gives Notre Dame hope that it can navigate a tough 12-game schedule to win close to 10 games and maybe get a New Year’s Six bowl bid. For Georgia, the Bulldogs’ schedule could be a breeze after this. The Bulldogs could head into Jacksonville unscathed and be the runaway favorite to come out of the SEC East.

On paper, these two teams looked to be evenly matched programs that are on the rise this year. Both schools had disappointing years in 2016. Georgia went 8-5, while Notre Dame struggled to 4-8. Notre Dame will be better. Georgia, maybe a win or two.

Though Georgia will be limited by its true freshman quarterback Fromm and so-so offensive line, Notre Dame just doesn’t have enough athletes to contain the Georgia ground game the whole night.

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If Chubb and Michel can break off a few big runs in the fourth quarter, Georgia could be in line for a slight upset victory in South Bend. This one could go either way, but Georgia’s running game is better than anything Notre Dame has going for it offensively.

Prediction: Georgia 28, Notre Dame 27

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