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

Editor's note: The Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia has been postponed 24 hours, and it'll now take place at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

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. 2 at 4 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 ruled out for the season 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: +110 via Caesars | 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.

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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: -120 via bet365 | 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 now that Beck is officially out for the season. It's a little strange to see the Bulldogs as the moneyline favorite when 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: +2.5 (-115) via FanDuel

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

While he wasn't expected to play in this one after suffering an injury in the SEC Championship, the news that Carson Beck is out for the season could loom over this matchup for Georgia's offense against one of the best defenses in the country.

How to watch the CFP Sugar Bowl

• When: Thursday, Jan. 2
• Kickoff: 4 p.m. ET
• Where: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Weather: Indoors

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