We’ve reached the College Football Playoffs Quarterfinals stage, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs will square off as part of our New Year’s Day viewing pleasure.

Both teams are missing a star player, and my Notre Dame vs. Georgia predictions expect a high-scoring game at the Caesars Superdome. Read on for my college football leans for the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Notre Dame vs Georgia predictions and best bets for CFP Quarterfinal

• Notre Dame ML +100 at DraftKings
• Over 44 points: -110 at Caesars Sportsbook

Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are about to prove they are the best team in the nation. They must first get past a tough Georgia Bulldogs group without its offensive leader. Not having Carson Beck under center is less than optimal for a Bulldogs offense that sometimes can’t get out of its way.

Georgia will start backup four-star quarterback Gunner Stockton. The sophomore replaced Beck and played well as a game manager; the strong-armed signal-caller may struggle against one of the nation’s best and most opportunistic passing defenses.

Yes, Notre Dame is without DT Rylie Mills due to a season-ending knee injury suffered against Indiana. He’s a major disrupter. The Irish will miss his presence, but the Fighting Irish defense is still good enough to contain the running game, and its secondary is fast enough to keep up with Georgia’s speedsters.

I expect Notre Dame to keep the ball on the ground as often as possible. Georgia ranked 11th in the SEC in rushing defense (127.8 ypg), which should open the door for Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jeremiyah Love.

With so many highly skilled offensive players on the gridiron, the Allstate Sugar Bowl has a real chance of becoming a higher-scoring game than the oddsmakers believe. Both groups boasted Over/Under records of 6-4-0 across their last 10. This one could easily exceed 44 points.

Notre Dame vs Georgia moneyline odds analysis

Why Georgia could win as the favorite

Best odds: -120 at DraftKings Sportsbook

Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills’ absence is a major reason why the Georgia Bulldogs can win as the underdog. That’s because Georgia quarterback Carson Beck injured his elbow in the SEC Championship Game against Texas and is out for the January 1 clash.

Gunner Stockton came on in relief and played well enough for Georgia to sneak away with the SEC Championship trophy. Stockton won’t have to deal with Mills, which works in the reserve signal-callers’ favor.

The Bulldogs also must defend against dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard. Three quarterbacks scampered for 70+ against Georgia this season, while two others went for 45+. If the Bulldogs can slow Leonard and Love, they will limit the Fighting Irish offense. Stockton and the offense could succeed enough against a defense without its defensive anchor to win as the favorite.

Why Notre Dame could win as the underdog

Best odds: +105 at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Fighting Irish defense took a significant hit with Mills being out, but they lucked out because Georgia is also missing a game-changing player. Notre Dame has to be feeling good about seeing a sophomore quarterback with limited Division-I playing experience, especially with a defense boasting the fourth-most interceptions in the FBS.

Beck accounted for 29 touchdowns this season. Stockton played admirably against Texas, but the nation’s fourth-best passing defense must slow a loaded Georgia WR room with 25 combined TD receptions.

Leonard and RB Jeremiyah Love can succeed against a mediocre Bulldogs’ rushing defense. They’ve combined for 31 rushing TDs this season and face a shaky Bulldogs’ defense they can pound the rock against and win this game as the underdog.