Watts did get plenty of love from the media, as he was named a consensus All-American. He came up in the clutch against Indiana, with a pick near the goal line. Watts is the best current player on defense for Notre Dame, and still makes plays even when teams try to throw away from his side.

NEW ORLEANS (WNDU) - The Notre Dame football team is New Orleans bound to face the Georgia Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day. The Fighting Irish are 12-1 on the season and winners of 11 straight while the SEC-champion Bulldogs are 11-2 and coming off a bye in the first round of the playoff.

Now, Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame have the chance for a program-validating win on New Year’s Day in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have been the standard of excellence in college football recently.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 7 Notre Dame cruised past No. 10 Indiana 27-17 in the first game of the 12-team College Football Playoff on Friday night. The Fighting Irish advance to play No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

Notre Dame (12-1) earned a spot in the Playoff Quarterfinals after a 27-17 victory over No. 10 Indiana in the first-ever College Football Playoff First-Round Game. The Fighting Irish, who are seeded No. 7, will be making their fifth Sugar Bowl appearance and are looking to continue their strong postseason run.

The No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (11-2) play No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1) game in the Sugar Bowl. Georgia returns to action after having a bye in the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff after beating Texas in the SEC championship.

The Georgia Bulldogs will return to action next week when they take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame advanced past the first round of the playoff via their 27-17 win against the Indiana Hoosiers.