Marcus Freeman is making a strong impression at Notre Dame. A win against Georgia would elevate his status even more.

The Fighting Irish secured their first-ever College Football Playoff win, proving that they can thrive without Brian Kelly.

This shift has been gratifying for Irish supporters who have quietly rooted for any team facing off against Kelly’s LSU Tigers over the last three years.

Fans turned against Kelly, Notre Dame’s most successful coach, after he left for LSU, seeking better opportunities.

Despite his current unpopular status, Kelly was once the coach Notre Dame needed to emerge from a period of mediocrity inflicted by several unsuccessful predecessors.

While Kelly brought Notre Dame back into the limelight, he consistently faltered in crucial matchups, failing to break through in postseason play.

Now, the Irish turn to Freeman, who faces Georgia, a powerhouse team that regularly defeated Kelly in the past.

The Sugar Bowl against Georgia: A challenge that Brian Kelly failed to meet

Throughout his time at Notre Dame, Kelly suffered defeats against Georgia, losing both in the regular season in 2017 and 2019. He was also heavily beaten by Alabama in the 2013 national championship game and managed to win only once in four encounters against Clemson. In five significant postseason games, he experienced defeats each time.

When Kelly departed for LSU, he took a coach with name recognition rather than one known for winning big games.

Three years since Freeman took over at Notre Dame, it is evident that the Irish are thriving post-Kelly, while he has yet to make the playoffs at LSU. The Irish demonstrated their strength with an impressive 11-1 record in the regular season, contrasting with Kelly’s preparation for a lesser bowl game.

By defeating Georgia, Freeman can clearly establish that his team differs from Kelly’s as they tackle teams that Kelly often fell short against, like Georgia.

When Kelly opted for an SEC team, it left Notre Dame fans wondering about the future:

Would they slide back into mediocrity? Or had the groundwork been laid for a new era of success?

Notre Dame’s choice of Freeman aimed to give the young coach (now 38) the chance to thrive, potentially becoming a star or proving he’s in over his head.

Initially, Freeman had ups and downs, with losses to Marshall followed by victories against teams like Clemson. He found success against ranked opponents but faced instability in other matchups.

Yet, a victory in the Sugar Bowl would stand as the most significant win for Notre Dame in years, with many viewing it as their best postseason triumph since Lou Holtz led the team in the early 1990s.

A win against Georgia could elevate Freeman’s status beyond that of Kelly

While Georgia is not as dominant as the championship teams under Kirby Smart, they pose a tough challenge, especially with backup quarterback Gunner Stockton making his first start.

Nevertheless, the presence of that “G” on Georgia’s helmet signifies they are precisely the kind of team that has historically troubled Notre Dame under Kelly.

Freeman has built a strong team this year, but winning against Georgia would be a test of their mettle against a higher-level opponent.

“They are a really good and solid team,” said Smart about Notre Dame. “They play fundamentally well, avoid mistakes, have a strong defense, and bring a lot of physicality to the game, complimented by an athletic quarterback.”

These are compliments that could have previously been attributed to Kelly’s better teams, but they struggled when they encountered elite competitors like Georgia. This Sugar Bowl presents Freeman with his opportunity to differentiate himself from Kelly and to prove he’s ready for challenges beyond just defeating teams like Indiana.