Jason Radowitz looks ahead to College GameDay’s Game of the Week and provides you with his best bet for the Top 10 match-up between Notre Dame and Georgia.
Starting Week 2, I wanted to begin a College Gameday Best Bet Thread week by week. Entering Week 4, I’m 2-0 with my best bets and looking to add another winner to the record. College GameDay will be returning to Athens, GA for a match-up between two top 10 teams in 3 Georgia (3-0) and 7 Notre Dame (2-0).
Notre Dame
Notre Dame is led by quarterback Ian Book, how often gets criticized for not having a big time arm. Notre Dame hasn’t had a real test this season after their two wins against Loisville and New Mexico. Book has thrown for 553 yards and six touchdowns, without throwing a pick. He’s become one of the most efficient passers in college football. He will need to be THIS good against Georgia and their defense, including the solid secondary unit that hasn’t been tested this season either.
Notre Dame will have the challenge of touching Jake Fromm in the backfield. Notre Dame’s secondary has been very good in their first two games, allowing Louisville and New Mexico to complete just 39 percent of their passes. If the defense up front for Notre Dame can get to Fromm within the first five seconds, Notre Dame can stay in this game all day. If Fromm is able to escape pressure, Notre Dame will have trouble in their secondary as Fromm makes plays.
The Irish will need to dictate this game up front and it’s as simple as that.
Georgia
The Bulldogs first three games were against Arkansas State, Murray State and Vanderbilt. We’ll give some credit to Vandy for having a little talent in the backfield. Georgia has allowed just over two yards per carry and haven’t allowed a single rushing touchdown in 12 quarters. Notre Dame’s running game has been okay, but they’ll have to gain chunks of yardage against Georgia on the ground to keep the Bulldogs defense honest.
On defense, Georgia has 12 sacks in just three games. Last season, in 2018, they finished with 24 sacks all of last season. The pressure is coming from the Georgia linebackers and they’ve been brilliant. However, Notre Dame will be the first offensive line that’ll give these young stud linebackers on Georgia some trouble.
Fromm has been really good. He’s completed 75 percent of his passes for 601 yards along with five touchdowns and he has one of the best offensive lines in front of him.
The Verdict
It comes down to Notre Dame being able to stay in this game. Fromm is throwing 75 percent competitions while Notre Dame is allowing just 39 percent in completions. The spread is -14 for Georgia. That’s a lot of points as a road underdog that’s ranked #7 in the nation. If Notre Dame’s defense can get pressure on Fromm and make him uncomfortable, Notre Dame has a legitimate chance to win this game.
Notre Dame’s Book will need to match Fromm possession by possession and make good decisions.
There’s 92,746 people inside the stadium, most rooting for Georgia. There will be another 92,000 outside of the stadium, with most rooting for Georgia. I like Georgia’s chances to scrape this one out, but if you’re giving Notre Dame 14 points, I’ll take the points in this Top 10 match-up.
