Notre Dame fans are rallying behind the Irish as they prepare for an epic College Football Playoff matchup against SEC powerhouse Georgia.

Seventh-seeded Notre Dame faces the task of replacing another key defensive player as it prepares for second-seeded Georgia and a Bulldogs' quarterback the Fighting Irish know little about.

Georgia's defense has been inconsistent this season, so it will be important for the unit to bring its best against the Irish.

Georgia and Notre Dame are set to square off in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal round at the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. Let’s check in with the latest prediction for the matchup from an expert football model that simulates games.

NEW ORLEANS (WNDU) - The Notre Dame football team is New Orleans bound to face the Georgia Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day. The Fighting Irish are 12-1 on the season and winners of 11 straight while the SEC-champion Bulldogs are 11-2 and coming off a bye in the first round of the playoff.

Watts did get plenty of love from the media, as he was named a consensus All-American. He came up in the clutch against Indiana, with a pick near the goal line. Watts is the best current player on defense for Notre Dame, and still makes plays even when teams try to throw away from his side.

The Georgia Bulldogs are at work, preparing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl. Here are our observations from the open viewing period.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Notre Dame football’s quarterfinal College Football Playoff game against the Georgia Bulldogs is what the opponents offense will look like. If you weren’t aware,

The first round of the College Football Playoff was a dud. It doesn't matter if you think they put the wrong teams in or if you blame the format of the tournament and the way it's seeded, there's no arguing the first four games all stunk.

Whenever postseason college football play begins each season, Irish fans are reminded of Notre Dame's title drought which dates back to the 1988 season. Not that long ago, Georgia, another high-profile program that had fallen on hard times, hadn't collected its last title since 1980.

The CFP quarterfinals are here. Find out why Will Hill is backing Georgia to win and cover against Notre Dame and why he's expecting "fireworks" in the Ohio State-Oregon rematch.