The final game of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals kicks off this afternoon, when Notre Dame and Georgia meet in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

This game was supposed to take place on New Year’s Day, but was postponed until today at 4 pm EST after the tragic New Year’s Eve terrorist attack on Bourbon Street that left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured.

As for the College Football Playoff picture, No. 2 seed Georgia (11-2 SU, 4-9 ATS) enjoyed a bye in the first round while No. 7 seed Notre Dame (12-1 SU, 10-2-1 ATS) scored an easy win over Indiana to reach the quarters.

Bulldogs starting quarterback Carson Beck suffered an injury in the SEC championship game that will sideline him for the rest of this season. Georgia turns to Gunner Stockton at QB. He is a third-year sophomore with little college experience.

Georgia is a 1-point underdog (+1.5 at FanDuel). The over/under is 45.5 points. The winner plays Penn State in the semifinals next Thursday. Here are our Notre Dame vs. Georgia predictions and best bets for the Sugar Bowl.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia predictions and best bets

• Notre Dame moneyline: -110 at DraftKings
• Under 45.5 points: -110 at BetMGM Sportsbook
• Under 23.5 points first half: -124 at FanDuel 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.

Defense will be the name of the game at the Caesars Superdome. Although Beck had some great moments this season, he was rarely consistent. If Stockton is better, it won’t be by much. It’s not even likely he will be better.

Stockton had 20 dropbacks against Texas in the SEC championship game, completing 12 passes for 4.4 yards per attempt. The late interception he threw nearly allowed the Longhorns to win.

That plays into the hands of Notre Dame’s strong defense. The Fighting Irish limited Indiana to three points in the first 58 minutes before the Hoosiers scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes thanks to an onside-kick recovery.

Notre Dame may not hold Georgia without a touchdown, but it’s tough to see the Bulldogs running up and down the field. They’re barely an average team in the running game anyway, and on Wednesday they must face Notre Dame’s strong run defense.

That’s a big reason why I like Notre Dame to win in a low-scoring game. If a significant number of points are scored, they most likely would come in the second half. I expect Georgia to go slow with Stockton early to help him get his feet wet and shake off the nerves.

Plus, Notre Dame prefers to run the ball. The Irish average 35.6 rushing attempts per game, which equates to 55.2% of their play calls. Quarterback Riley Leonard is part of that running game.

Getting the lead will be important in the Sugar Bowl, but it’s not likely that either team will take too much risk by opening up the passing game more than usual. That means the clock will run for most of the first half, limiting possessions and scoring opportunities.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia moneyline odds analysis

Why Notre Dame could win as the favorite

Best odds: -110 at DraftKings Sportsbook

Although Georgia has had some great games this season, it also had some weird moments when it underwhelmed. Notre Dame is a perfect team to take advantage of that if the Bulldogs slip.

The Fighting Irish were laughed at when they lost to Northern Illinois. Many figured their CFP hopes were dashed at that point. Notre Dame rallied and ripped off 11 consecutive double-digit wins to reach the quarterfinals.

This is a different team than the one that lost to Northern Illinois, and it could prove the naysayers wrong once and for all with a win over Georgia.

Why Georgia could win as the underdog

Best odds: -105 at Caesars

The big stage is old hat for Georgia by now. The Bulldogs won two straight national championships before last season. Head coach Kirby Smart knows how to prepare his team for these games.

When Stockton entered the SEC championship game, the Bulldogs did not change their game plan, so they probably haven’t had to spend much time preparing to use a quarterback with a different skill set.

The Bulldogs have had some awesome moments this season, and it would not be surprising to see them have another one in such a huge spot.