If Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart needs some motivation for his team ahead of a matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, he can look to former Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops’ prediction for the game.
On Monday, during Stoops’ weekly appearance on The Ref 1400, the former Oklahoma head coach predicted that Notre Dame will beat Georgia to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.
Stoops thinks the absence of Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck (who is out for the rest of the season with an elbow injury) gives Notre Dame a legitimate shot to beat the Bulldogs.
“I do (think Notre Dame has a shot) because of that (Beck’s injury),” said Stoops. “Otherwise, I don’t think I’d say that. And Notre Dame has been impressive. Of course, Georgia always is. But I think without the quarterback, that’s going to make a difference. Although they’ve had some extra practice time now….[but] I’m going to go with Notre Dame.”
I’m sure Smart will love hearing that prediction. No one uses slights from the media, former coaches, or fans as motivation as effectively as Smart. It’s one of the traits that elevates Smart from a great coach to an elite coach.
With Beck sidelined, redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton will start at quarterback for Georgia.
Stockton doesn’t have much playing experience at the collegiate level, but he’s a former four-star recruit who was rated as the No. 7 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class. He has the talent to lead the Bulldogs to a win against Notre Dame. And with plenty of folks doubting Georgia this week, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the Bulldogs end up leaving New Orleans with a win on Wednesday night.