One of the most eagerly awaited matchups of the second round is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. EST on Jan. 1, featuring the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in the prestigious Sugar Bowl.

These two teams have only met three times in college football history, with the Bulldogs winning all three encounters. This sets up a thrilling game, with several compelling storylines.

For Marcus Freeman, this is the biggest game of his young coaching career at Notre Dame. It represents a major opportunity for the program to secure a historic win and advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.

However, defeating Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs is no easy task. Despite star quarterback Carson Beck being out for the season, Gunnar Stockton has shown he can lead the offense, as evidenced in the SEC Championship Game.

The game could hinge on quarterback play, making it a crucial element to watch. As the high-stakes game approaches, Georgia posted a brief but powerful message to set the tone for Wednesday night’s contest.

“It’s Playoff time. !!” Georgia tweeted on Monday.

Two key players to watch in the backfield for both teams are Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love, the Fighting Irish’s top offensive threat, and Georgia’s Trevor Etienne, who serves a similar role for the Bulldogs. Both are expected to have heavy workloads throughout the game.

The matchup will follow the Big Ten rematch between the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 1 Oregon Ducks on New Year’s Day. These two games have been among the most talked-about matchups of the second round and could ultimately decide the national champion.