In the wake of Wednesday’s deadly incident in New Orleans that killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens, the Sugar Bowl was postponed and rescheduled for Thursday.
According to a statement from Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley, there was consulting done with representatives from the two participating schools and ESPN among others who determined it would be in the best interest of everybody to postpone the game.
Notre Dame and Georgia announced that members of their team personnel were all accounted for, but Jere W. Morehead, Georgia’s president, stated that one UGA student was critically injured.
Authorities swept the Superdome as a precaution, according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports.
Now Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and Georgia coach Kirby Smart will try to get their players ready for a game that determines the final team into the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Georgia did not play last week after beating Texas to win the SEC Championship game on Dec. 7. For being one of the four highest-ranked conference champions, the Bulldogs earned a first-round bye. Notre Dame earned a 27-17 victory over in-state rival Indiana at home to earn a spot in the quarterfinal round.
Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck will not play for the Bulldogs after having surgery for an elbow injury. He declared for the NFL draft on Saturday. Gunner Stockton is expected to start. Stockton completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 71 yards and an interception after replacing Beck in the SEC title game.
Here’s what you need to know about the Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia.
The Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs was rescheduled for Thursday and kicks off at 4 p.m. ET at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
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The Sugar Bowl game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Both Georgia and Notre Dame were on lockdown at the hotel on Wednesday while police investigated the deadly attack. But, the Bulldogs were seen leaving the hotel for a walkthrough last night as fans looked on.
Paul Myerberg writes: “Here’s the first major upset of the playoff. One thing to keep in mind is the potential availability of quarterback Carson Beck, who was injured just before halftime of the SEC championship game and underwent an MRI on Sunday. Even if he’s back in the lineup, will Beck be healthy enough to deliver against the nation’s best pass defense? Notre Dame has allowed opponents to complete just 48.7% of attempts with 17 interceptions against just nine touchdowns.”
Adam Rittenberg writes: “Expect the defenses to shine in this game, which likely will come down to turnovers, special teams and field position. But Georgia doesn’t defend the run as well as it normally does, and Notre Dame’s ability to move the ball with its trident of Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price and Riley Leonard will show up in the second half. Georgia makes a late charge before Xavier Watts seals the win with an interception.”
Pete Fiutak writes: “Notre Dame has everything in place to win this, win again, and win again to become the national champion, but it’s playoff time. Until proven otherwise, assume we’re getting Playoff Georgia in a low scoring defensive fight. The D will come through against Leonard enough in the second half to grind this out.”
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are favorites to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Wednesday, Jan. 1
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