Unexpected Underdogs Set to Shock the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals—Who Will Rise?
No. 1 quarterback Carson Beck’s absence with an elbow injury is the biggest one in this game, but Notre Dame has a significant injury problem of its own. Defensive tackle Rylie Mills hurt his right knee while sacking Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke in the first round and is now out for the season himself. Mills was Notre Dame’s best run-stuffer, with a 15.4% run disruption rate that led the team, and was also a serious pass-rushing force up the middle who produced 7.5 sacks to lead the team. The Irish are fortunate that the other half of their skilled tackle duo, Howard Cross, returned from his own injury for Notre Dame’s first-round game. Georgia has not had its usual dominant offensive line this season, but Mills’ absence might open space for UGA’s running backs that otherwise would not have been there.

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