3 reasons why Kirby Smart will get owned by Marcus Freeman & Notre Dame in Sugar Bowl

The Georgia Bulldogs will play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 Sugar Bowl on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. The game was postponed a day after the terror attacks in New Orleans.

The oddsmakers have the game as a pick'em as Georgia and Notre Dame are both -110 apiece. However, heading into the game, there are three key reasons why Kirby Smart and his Bulldogs will fall short against Notre Dame.

3 reasons why Kirby Smart & Georgia will lose to Notre Dame

#1: QB change

The biggest reason why Kirby Smart and Georgia will lose is due to the quarterback change. Bulldogs starting QB Carson Beck is out for the remainder of the college football due to an elbow injury.

Georgia will start Gunner Stockton, who has only attempted 32 passes this season and threw a pick in relief of Beck in the SEC Championship. The Bulldogs will most likely focus primarily on the run game, making Georgia easier to prepare for.

Stockton isn't an elite QB at college, which will lead to Notre Dame winning.

#2: Run defense

Georgia's defense struggled against the run this season, especially against quarterbacks capable of running.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is one of the best running quarterbacks in college football. Georgia played against two elite running QBs this season: Jalen Milroe of Alabama and Haynes King of Georgia Tech.

Milroe rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in the win. King, meanwhile, rushed for 110 yards and three touchdowns, as he led Georgia Tech in an 8OT loss.

Thus, Leonard should be able to have success running the ball against this Bulldogs defense.

#3: Turnovers

The final reason why Georgia will lose to Notre Dame is due to turnovers.

The Fighting Irish have a solid defense (+16 turnover margin which was third in the nation). The defense also forced 18 interceptions, which was third in the nation as well.

Stockton will likely make a couple of mistakes which in turn will count towards Notre Dame. Those turnovers will lead to Fighting Irish points and be the difference in the Sugar Bowl.