SEC Football: 5 biggest non-conference games in 2019

1. Georgia Bulldogs vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Week 4)

Where: Athens, Ga.

In the past two seasons, either Georgia or Notre Dame have played in the College Football Playoff. Last year, they were both in contention for the Playoff, and Georgia barely missed the final cut.

For the Bulldogs, this game will boost their resume. If they struggle in a game or two in their conference schedule, a win against Notre Dame can keep them in contention for the playoff.

Hypothetically, they could make the Playoff going 12-0 in the regular season, no matter what happens against the SEC West champion in the SEC Championship. It will depend on how the rest of the teams in the country play out, but that’s how big this game is for Georgia. If they lose, you’d have to think they would have no margin for error the rest of the year.

For Notre Dame, games like this are of the utmost importance. When you don’t have a conference championship, you pretty much have to go 12-0. Even then, you must have a schedule tough enough to prove that you are one of the four best teams in the country. That’s what this game could do for the Fighting Irish. If they go into Athens and upset the Bulldogs in Week 4, they will certainly be considered one of the top teams in the nation.

Both teams lost a lot of offensive talent from last year, but they are also both bringing back their starting quarterbacks. Ian Book will try to prove that he can win without an established running game, and Jake Fromm will be in contention for the top quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft.