When Notre Dame faces off with Georgia on New Years Day in the Sugar Bowl, whichever team starts faster will be the overwhelming favorite to go on and win the game. Notre Dame has played out in front with a lead for the majority of the season and has yet to have to play from behind.

One hero of Georgia’s previous Sugar Bowl appearance against Notre Dame hopes so. Then Bulldogs safety Scott Woerner had two interceptions on New Year’s Day, 1981, the last one helping to clinch a 17-10 victory and the national championship.

Forty-four years later to the day, Notre Dame and Georgia meet again in the Sugar Bowl, the venue for their College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup. The winner advances to the Orange Bowl and takes one step closer to winning the first title of the 12-team playoff era.

There's no doubt that Notre Dame's offensive strength in 2024 is the run game. The "three horsemen - Riley Leonard, Jeremiyah Love, and Jadarian Price - are the engine that drives the Irish behind an offensive line that has gelled nicely as the season has progressed.

Head coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs last took the field against No. 5 Texas in the SEC Championship Game. Despite losing starting quarterback Carson Beck to injury in the first half, backup Gunner Stockton was able to lead UGA to a 3-point, second-half comeback to win in overtime, 22-19.

What the Georgia Bulldogs can expect from Notre Dame during the Sugar Bowl. The Georgia Bulldogs will be taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar B

The second round of the NCAA FBS college football playoffs conclude Wednesday with No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Georgia in a Sugar Bowl quarterfinal

Riley Leonard's improvement in the passing game will be a key part of seventh-seeded Notre Dame's game plan against second-seeded Georgia in the College Football Playoffs

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard discusses his upcoming matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs' defense in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.