ESPN FPI Predicts Big College Football Playoff Upset

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Dec 22, 2024 8:59 PM ET

The higher seeds won all four games in the first round of the College Football Playoff (CFP), setting the stage for some exciting quarterfinal matchups.

No. 7 Notre Dame will take on No. 2 Georgia, No. 6 Penn State is set to battle No. 3 Boise State, No. 5 Texas faces No. 4 Arizona State, and No. 8 Ohio State gets a highly anticipated rematch with No. 1 Oregon.

Before the first of those four quarterfinal games kick off on New Year’s Eve, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) computer-based rankings were updated on Sunday morning. Along with adjusting the rankings and picking its national champion, the FPI also predicted a big upset.

Despite Georgia currently being a 1.5-point favorite (ESPN BET), the FPI predicts Notre Dame will pull off the upset, giving it a 53.8% to do so.

The Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will meet for just the fourth time ever and the third time since 2017.

The Bulldogs come in at 11-2, having just won their third SEC Championship under head coach Kirby Smart.

Unfortunately for Georgia, it will turn to backup quarterback Gunner Stockton after starter Carson Beck suffered an arm injury in that game. Stockton stepped in, going 12-of-16 for 71 yards and an interception. He's set to make his first career start and will likely be the Bulldogs' signal caller the rest of the way.

For Notre Dame, it sits at 11-1 after knocking off tenth-seeded Indiana 27-17 in the first round of the CFP. Since suffering a stunning upset in Week 2 to Northern Illinois, the Fighting Irish have won 10 straight.

Led by quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame has the No. 4 scoring offense in the nation, averaging 38.8 points per game.

Kickoff between Georgia and Notre Dame in the Allstate Sugar Bowl is set for 8:45 p.m. ET on New Year's Day.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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