The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in college football as the SEC-champion Georgia Bulldogs prepare to face the surging Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2024 Sugar Bowl. This quarterfinal clash promises to be an instant classic, with both teams vying for a shot at the ultimate National Championship. Fans are buzzing with excitement, and tickets for this star-studded matchup are disappearing fast.
Who will play in the Sugar Bowl 2024?
The highly anticipated game will feature No. 2 Georgia squaring off against No. 7 Notre Dame. As the second seed, the Bulldogs enjoyed a first-round bye, while the Irish advanced by defeating Indiana 27-17 in a hard-fought battle. The final score may suggest a closer game than it was, as Notre Dame dominated for most of the night, leading 27-3 late in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jeremiyah Love have been instrumental in driving the Irish’s offense, and they will be looking to continue that momentum against a formidable Georgia defense.
Georgia’s path to the Sugar Bowl
Georgia has been a powerhouse in the SEC this season, cruising to its 15th conference title. However, the Bulldogs will face a significant challenge as they move forward without their star quarterback, Carson Beck, who suffered an elbow injury during the SEC Championship Game. This injury leaves Georgia’s offense in the hands of Gunner Stockton, a less experienced signal-caller. Coach Kirby Smart will likely lean heavily on the running game, featuring standout players like Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier, to carry the load against Notre Dame’s stout defense.
Notre Dame’s impressive defense
The Fighting Irish’s defense has been a key factor in their success throughout the season. In their first-round matchup against Indiana, Notre Dame held the Hoosiers to just 278 total yards and made crucial stops on third and fourth downs. This defensive prowess will be critical as they prepare to face a Georgia team that relies heavily on its ground attack. Can Notre Dame’s defense rise to the occasion and stifle the Bulldogs’ running game? That will be one of the most intriguing storylines heading into this quarterfinal.
Historical context of the matchup
This Sugar Bowl will mark just the fourth-ever meeting between these two storied programs. Georgia has dominated the previous encounters, winning all three, including a memorable home-and-home series in 2017 and 2019. Their last meeting was in the Sugar Bowl at the end of the 1980 season, a game that solidified Georgia’s second national championship. Under Smart’s leadership, the Bulldogs have added two more titles to their resume in 2021 and 2022. Will Notre Dame finally break the streak, or will Georgia continue its dominance?
Sugar Bowl 2024 date and ticket information
Mark your calendars! The 2024 Sugar Bowl will take place on Wednesday, January 1, with kickoff scheduled for 7:45 p.m. CT (8:45 p.m. ET) at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Fans eager to witness this thrilling matchup can find tickets available on StubHub. Prices currently range from $170 to $185, with lower-level seats going for approximately $250. Given the excitement surrounding this game, don’t expect prices to drop anytime soon!
College Football Playoff bracket 2024-25
The 2024 Sugar Bowl is part of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff format. This new system has injected fresh energy into college football, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcomes. The selection committee has laid out an exciting bracket, with Oregon set to face Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, while Arizona State will take on Texas in the Peach Bowl. The Fiesta Bowl will feature Boise State against Penn State, and the winner of the Sugar Bowl will advance to face the Fiesta Bowl champion in the Orange Bowl on January 9.
College Football Playoff schedule 2024-25
Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming playoff schedule:
First round
| Date | Game | Location |
| Fri., Dec. 20 | Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17 | South Bend, IN |
| Sat., Dec. 21 | Penn State 38, SMU 10 | State College, PA |
| Sat., Dec. 21 | Texas 38, Clemson 24 | Austin, TX |
| Sat., Dec. 21 | Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17 | Columbus, OH |
Quarterfinals
| Date | Game | Bowl | Time (ET) | Tickets |
| Tues., Dec. 31 | Boise State vs. Penn State | Fiesta Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Buy now |
| Wed., Jan. 1 | Arizona State vs. Texas | Peach Bowl | 1 p.m. | Buy now |
| Wed., Jan. 1 | Oregon vs. Ohio State | Rose Bowl | 5 p.m. | Buy now |
| Wed., Jan. 1 | Georgia vs. Notre Dame | Sugar Bowl | 8:45 p.m. | Buy now |
Semifinals
| Date | Game | Location | Time (ET) | Tickets |
| Thurs., Jan. 9 | Sugar Bowl winner vs. Fiesta Bowl winner |
Orange Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Buy now |
| Fri., Jan. 10 | Rose Bowl winner vs. Peach Bowl winner |
Cotton Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | Buy now |
Championship
| Date | Game | Location | Time (ET) | Tickets |
| Mon., Jan. 20 | TBD vs. TBD | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 7:30 p.m. | Buy now |
Get ready for an unforgettable matchup!
As the excitement builds for the 2024 Sugar Bowl, fans are eager to see how these two powerhouse programs will clash on the field. Will Georgia’s running game overpower Notre Dame’s defense, or can the Irish pull off an upset? One thing is for sure: this game is not to be missed!
