Notre Dame shocked 2-seed Georgia with a 23-10 victory in the Sugar Bowl to send the Fighting Irish to the national semifinals at the Orange Bowl against Penn State. The Fighting Irish used a furious rally of 17 points in 54 seconds around the halftime break to take control of the game and never looked back.

Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman RJ Oben (9) knocks the ball loose from Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) for a fumble recovered by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka (44) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Finebaum believes two teams have stood out in the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff, praising the Fighting Irish for their run. He thinks Notre Dame will defeat Penn State in the semifinal and advance to the national championship game.