After defeating Indiana, Notre Dame is set for a showdown in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals against the formidable SEC team, Georgia.

On Friday night, Notre Dame triumphed 27-17, effectively shutting down the Hoosiers who boasted the second-best scoring offense and showcasing an underrated running game.

Indiana could only manage 278 yards over 61 plays. In their last three games against top 20 nationally ranked defensive teams — Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame — the Hoosiers averaged a mere 3.9 yards per play.

In contrast, Notre Dame consistently gained significant yards on the ground, a feat no team had achieved against Indiana throughout the season. The Hoosiers, who allowed just 850 rushing yards during the regular season at an average of 2.5 yards per carry, were overwhelmed by the Irish’s rushing attack, yielding 192 yards on 5.5 yards per carry.

Expect the Irish to replicate this winning strategy in their Sugar Bowl match against Georgia.

Here are the crucial points to consider for this quarterfinal clash:

Will Carson Beck be able to play for Georgia?

The chances of Beck playing for the Bulldogs are slim after he sustained an injury during the latter part of the SEC championship game against Texas. Even though his season hasn’t unfolded as anticipated for someone predicted to contend for the Heisman Trophy, Beck remains Georgia’s top choice at quarterback; his uncertain status severely impacts their quest to regain the national title.

If Beck is out, Georgia will likely adjust its offensive strategy with backup Gunner Stockton. This was evident in the second half and overtime of the Texas game where Stockton demonstrated his mobility. While this shift may inject some dynamism into their play, it also means the offense risks becoming one-dimensional due to Stockton’s passing limitations compared to Beck.

Can Georgia succeed with Gunner Stockton at the helm?

It is possible for the Bulldogs to win with Stockton as quarterback, considering he energized the team during the SEC championship and might do so again against a top-tier defense. Being a five-star recruit, he comes with a pedigree that sets him apart from an average FBS backup.

However, achieving this won’t be straightforward. Stockton needs to minimize turnovers and leverage his athleticism to neutralize Notre Dame’s pass rush. To assist him in finding his rhythm, Georgia should encourage early down throws to prevent getting caught in unfavorable third-and-long situations that play to Notre Dame’s strengths.

Can Notre Dame’s rushing attack penetrate Georgia’s defense?

Notre Dame has been successful in running the ball against nearly every opponent. The Irish have scored multiple rushing touchdowns in each game and exceeded 201 rushing yards in five of their last six contests. Jeremiyah Love’s 98-yard touchdown run against Indiana marked Notre Dame as one of only six teams in the FBS to achieve three runs of 70 yards or more this season.

While Georgia’s run defense has shown periods of excellence, including during October and early November, it has not been entirely foolproof. The Bulldogs allowed Kentucky to amass 170 rushing yards in a tightly-contested win, surrendered 173 yards and three touchdowns to Alabama in a loss, and combined for 486 rushing yards allowed in victories against Massachusetts and Georgia Tech.

Will Notre Dame’s kicking struggles hinder their chances?

The Irish’s struggling kicking game poses a significant threat to their pursuit of the program’s first national championship since 1988.

Kicker Mitch Jeter’s hip injury has largely contributed to these issues. A former transfer from South Carolina, Jeter was very effective, making 23 of 25 field goal attempts in his last two seasons with the Gamecocks.

In the recent win against Indiana, he successfully converted two field goals, including a season-best 48-yarder that put the Irish ahead 17-3 at halftime. However, he also had one attempt blocked, bringing his season total to 8 of 15 on field goals.