How can a team that barely beat Kentucky and took 8 OTs to beat Georgia Tech also win the SEC? Because it is a team game played by 18-22 year-olds.
How can a team that lost to Northern Illinois at home beat the latest dynasty at its own game? Because its a team game played by 18-22 year-olds.
Three thoughts from me as we try to contextualize the Sugar Bowl and moving forward:
This is not Notre Dame from 2012 that didn't belong on the field in meaningful postseason action. It is a fast, physical, talented team with a gamer QB and a really good head coach. Marcus Freeman has been good everywhere he has been and he has transformed Notre Dame to look like a championship contender. They don't make many mistakes. They win on special teams and have a consistently solid rushing attack. Sounds like a similar formula to what got Kirby Smart here. Georgia will face Notre Dame more in upcoming postseasons, I suspect.
Georgia is a really good program that was a championship contender this season. You don't win the SEC without being damn good. The new format requires being your best now. Georgia wasn't in the Sugar Bowl. Ohio State feels like it is. Just five weeks ago, it seemed like they wanted to fire Ryan Day after the Michigan loss. The tenor of a team can change so quickly. I'm sure more research and discussion will center around how to get your team to peak in mid-December.
We'll chronicle the roster management to come and the draft process for the guys leaving. There is plenty more Dawgs talk to come. I'm so grateful for you all for supporting this site and our staff for the 2024 season. You all show up for us every single time. Thank you.
