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Notre Dame vs. Georgia Early Picks, Predictions & Odds: CFP Sugar Bowl

Rob Paul

Last Updated: December 22, 2024 4:20 PM EST • 3 min 28 sec read.

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts reacts after an interception against Indiana. The Fighting Irish are the the team to back with the Notre Dame vs. Georgia early picks and odds.
Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts reacts after an interception against Indiana. Photo by Matt Cashore via Imagn Images.

Notre Dame isn't the same team that was upset by Northern Illinois early in the season, and Georgia could be the Fighting Irish's next victim when the two programs meet in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 at 8:45 p.m. ET (ESPN).

  • While the Irish are the underdogs, our Notre Dame vs. Georgia early picks and odds believe Marcus Freeman's team can come out on top
  • Even with QB Carson Beck expected to miss serious time with an elbow injury, Georgia is +550 by the college football championship odds
  • The Beck factor doesn't seem to be influencing the Notre Dame vs. Georgia opening odds, with the Bulldogs being a 1.5-point favorite

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My early Notre Dame vs. Georgia prediction: CFP Sugar Bowl

College football picks made Sunday; odds subject to change. Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Prediction: Notre Dame moneyline

Best odds:  | Implied probability: 47.62%

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It's hard to believe, but Notre Dame is the most underrated team in the College Football Playoff. Not only should it have been the No. 5 seed in the playoff, but the Irish were deserving of a bye - they just aren't in a conference and therefore weren't eligible.

Don't get caught up in the 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois on Sept. 7, as no team in the country has improved more from the start of the season. Since that loss, Marcus Freeman's team has won 11 straight and outscored opponents by an average of 39 to 12.5.

Obviously, Kirby Smart's Bulldogs are a different beast, but without Beck how will Georgia's offense fare with Gunner Stockton behind center? Notre Dame's defense is among the best in the country, sitting No. 9 in EPA per rush and No. 1 in EPA per dropback, with future NFL players like Xavier Watts and Rylie Mills.

And while Georgia's defense is full of five-star talents, the Irish's ground attack led by Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Love lays waste to front sevens. If Notre Dame wins - and covers for the 10th straight game - a $10 bet pays an $11 profit.

Don't miss our guide for how to bet on college football or this week's best sportsbook promos.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia live odds

See the college football odds from our best college football betting sites for every college football bowl game.

Moneyline

  • Georgia best odds: | Implied probability: 54.55%
  • Notre Dame best odds: +110 via Caesars | Implied probability: 47.62%

The question here is whether or not this line will shift at our best sports betting sites once Beck is officially announced out for the game. It's a little strange to see the Bulldogs as the moneyline favorite when it's likely they'll be starting a QB with just 51 career pass attempts.

I wouldn't delay betting on the Irish ML if you're like me and believe Notre Dame is going to come out victorious in New Orleans.

Spread

  • Georgia best odds: -1.5 (-110) via bet365
  • Notre Dame best odds:

For those who aren't quite as bullish on Notre Dame as I am, but still believe Freeman's team will come to play, this line at FanDuel is hard to pass on. Our other best sports betting apps are offering the Irish at +1.5.

And like the ML, I think there's a strong chance we see movement in Notre Dame's direction. I would be surprised if this isn't at least a pick'em by kickoff. 

Over/Under

  • Over best odds: 44 (-115) via Caesars
  • Under best odds: 44.5 (-114) via FanDuel

The best sportsbooks are all on the same page with the game total - all of them have the Over/Under at 44 or 44.5. That's a tough number to play with, but I would lean toward the Under because of how loaded both defenses are and Beck is unlikely to play. I don't think we'll see this total drop lower than 43.5. 

Notre Dame vs. Georgia injuries to watch

How to watch the CFP Sugar Bowl

  • When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
  • Kickoff: 8:45 p.m. ET
  • Where: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
  • How to watch: ESPN
  • Weather: Indoors

College football betting odds pages

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Written By:
Rob Paul
Rob is a Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review. He’s been with the team since early 2024, with this being his first full-time role in the sports betting industry. Before joining 520ccc.com, he contributed to various sports outlets, including FanSided and Pro Football Network. During that period, he spent five years working full-time as a local community journalist, after attending Durham College for journalism and Wilfrid Laurier University for history. He previously hosted an NFL draft and college football-focused podcast where he had the opportunity to interact with future NFL players such as Maxx Crosby and Quinn Meinerz. Rob has spent multiple years working as a freelance podcast producer for numerous sports-related podcasts while making guest appearances on several college football shows. He’s also made guest appearances on SportsTalk Mississippi on several occasions to talk all things NFL draft. Rob values the way sports betting acts as a catalyst for telling stories and growing interest in certain sports, particularly FCS football, WNBA, and mid-major college basketball. He’s always been drawn to the more obscure teams and conferences in major college sports, but most of all, Rob loves using stats to find the best player props to back.