Notre Dame vs. Georgia: The Game That Will Change Everything

It’s hard to believe that we’re already three games into the 2019-2020 college football season. It feels like it was just yesterday when we were watching Bo Nix throw a miracle touchdown pass to lead his Auburn Tigers to a victory over the Oregon Ducks. However, here we are in week four looking at a stacked lineup of games between top 25 teams and conference opponents. One of the best games this week is also one of the most important ones of the season. The result of the Notre Dame and Georgia matchup will change the outlook of the rest of the season.

This Saturday #7 Notre Dame visits #3 Georgia for the teams’ second meeting of their home and home series. Georgia opens up as a 13.5 point favorite, which is ridiculous considering this is a matchup between two top ten teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if Georgia wins by two touchdowns, but it’s insane that a matchup between two top ten teams has that big of a spread. Anyway, the result of this game could impact the playoff chances of a few teams, including UCF.

If Georgia wins, which I predict they will, then Notre Dame is most likely eliminated from the playoff. The Fighting Irish would technically still have a chance to make the playoff with a loss, but it’s very unlikely. They would have to run the table just to have a tiny chance of getting in. With the Independent Conference’s only representative being removed from contention, UCF’s chances of getting a playoff spot increase. At this point the PAC 12 has just one team with a realistic chance of getting in; Utah. The Utes most likely have to go undefeated to make it, which I don't see happening. If the PAC 12 doesn’t get in, then things really get interesting. There are four playoff spots and two conferences would be eliminated from contention in this situation. Let’s say Georgia loses to LSU in the regular season (I actually think this happens) and then loses to Alabama in the SEC Championship. That means only one SEC team, Alabama, gets in this year. Oklahoma either goes undefeated, or loses to Texas just to negate that loss in the Big 12 Championship. Now we have two spots occupied by Alabama and Oklahoma.

Take a break now if your head hurts, because I promise it won't get better. Now let's continue:

Clemson is going undefeated no questions asked, so they automatically get a spot. Now we have one spot left for either Ohio State or UCF. For UCF to make the playoff in this situation, Michigan must upset Ohio State at the end of the year to eliminate the Buckeyes from contention. UCF could get in even if Ohio State beats Michigan, but the Buckeyes would have to have gotten upset earlier in the season as would the Wolverines. On the other hand, If Notre Dame wins then they most likely win out and get in the playoff while Georgia is eliminated. That scenario makes it extremely difficult for UCF to get in since they would have to jump Oklahoma or Ohio State to make it. Keep in mind that in either scenario, the Golden Knights must go undefeated to get a playoff spot. We have absolute chaos in my hypothetical scenario.

At the end of all the madness we have four playoff teams; #1 Clemson, #2 Alabama, #3 Oklahoma, and #4 UCF.

This Notre Dame/Georgia game is a much bigger deal than you might think. A Georgia victory actually paves the way for UCF to make it into the playoff, which would be devastating for us twitter users who already have to deal with delusional UCF fans daily. Just imagine if they actually make the college football playoff.

Ugh!