The College Football Playoff kicks off this week and the first game will determine Georgia’s opponent in their quarterfinal matchup. The Indiana Hoosiers will take a short trip to South Bend to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, with the winner advancing to meet Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. So, who would be the better matchup for the Bulldogs?
For starters, Kirby Smart has a 2-0 record against Notre Dame during his tenure at Georgia. The Bulldogs defeated the Fighting Irish in South Bend in 2017 and again in Athens in 2019. However, those wins came before Marcus Freeman took over as Notre Dame’s head coach, so this would be an unfamiliar territory for Smart and Georgia.
With Gunner Stockton starting at quarterback for Georgia, the key factor will be how the Bulldogs’ rushing attack matches up against the opposing defense. Notre Dame boasts a strong defense, particularly in the secondary, but their defensive line lacks interior size compared to the nation’s best. Even though Georgia might feel confident about its chances against Notre Dame, Indiana seems like the more favorable opponent.
The Hoosiers have struggled against teams of Georgia’s caliber, as shown when Ohio State won convincingly against them earlier this season. Indiana has also had difficulty running the ball against top-tier opponents, which forces them into a one-dimensional passing offense. While their passing game has had some success this year, it hasn’t been enough to carry them in tough matchups.
On paper, both Notre Dame and Indiana offer intriguing matchups for Georgia and should provide an entertaining game. However, if Bulldogs fans had to choose, Indiana seems like the better team to face in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinals.
How Notre Dame and Indiana football compare
| Notre Dame | Indiana | |
| College Football Playoff ranking | 5 | 8 |
| Record | 11-1 | 11-1 |
| Strength of schedule | 59 | 67 |
| Points per game | 39.8 | 43.3 |
| Points allowed per game | 13.6 | 14.7 |
| Ranked wins | 1 | 0 |
| FPI ranking | 2 | 10 |
| Total yards per game | 421.3 | 438.8 |
| Yards allowed per game | 296.8 | 244.8 |
