The Georgia Bulldogs came into the Sugar Bowl optimistic. Despite massive flaws that caused several games to be close down the stretch, the Bulldogs won the SEC championship to secure a first-round bye.

Rise and shine Georgia fans! The Bulldogs play in their first College Football Playoff matchup this evening! It's a New Year, and the Georgia Bulldogs are set to begin their postseason quest for the national title as they take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

In a College Football Playoff game delayed by the attack on Bourbon Street, the Fighting Irish defense sets the tone in a 23-10 win.

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Arian Smith made one of the Bulldogs' only big plays in UGA's 23-10 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl. After the game, Smith gave credit to Notre Dame,

The story of the Sugar Bowl can be boiled down to less than a minute of game time in final seconds of the first half and opening seconds of the second half.

The pass blocking for Georgia was also abhorrent. The Notre Dame pass rush sacked Gunner Stockton four times, stripping the ball from him twice. Georgia was ineffective on third and fourth down, going 2/12 on third and 0/3 on fourth.

Notre Dame has been battling it's way back to glory, and is coming off of their best post season win since 1993 while Georgia is trying to remain the top dog and the team to beat in College Football.