We were awakened yesterday to the tragic news of the terrorist attack that took place early New Year’s Day here in New Orleans.
In the hours after, we learned that the Sugar Bowl would be postponed and heard whispers about some behind-the-scenes discussion between decision makers about what time the postponed game should be played.
Now we know that Georgia and Notre Dame will meet this afternoon in an environment that’s likely quite different than it was originally expected to be.
However, there is still much that we don’t know about this horrific event, and while we wait for new details to emerge, if you’d like a recap of what’s been reported thus far, both about the Sugar Bowl and the situation in New Orleans, take a look at the stories below.
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TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Arizona State and Texas went into double overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. The Longhorns walked away winners of the Peach Bowl, ending the season for the Sun Devils — who were picked to finish dead last in the Big 12 media poll.
Question: Including Wednesday’s Peach Bowl, there have been four games in the CFP history to go into overtime. Two of those were Georgia games. What was the fourth CFP matchup to go past regulation?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
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The latest on the deadly attack
The deadly attack on Bourbon Street — where at least 15 people were killed — left many people, including droves of Georgia fans, with an array of emotions. AJC sports columnist Ken Sugiura, who was among the many people on Bourbon Street late New Year’s Eve, put to paper what so many are likely feeling.
Scott Johnson, a Georgia fan from Cobb County, told the AJC: “The mood is somber — so many of us were so close to real tragedy. It’s hard to feel like celebrating or think about football when innocent lives were taken just yards away.”
A 19-year-old UGA student was among those critically injured in the attack.
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College Football Playoff Update
Georgia-Notre Dame is the final remaining CFP quarterfinal matchup. The Bulldogs went from being a 1-point favorite to a 1-point underdog on Wednesday.
As we are all aware — or should be at this point — the winner of today’s game will advance to play Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.
On the other side of the CFP bracket, Texas will face Ohio State, who took down top-ranked Oregon in the Rose Bowl, in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
Photo: Jake Fromm was a fan favorite after Georgia beat Notre Dame in South Bend in 2019. (Rob Saye/DawgNation)
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Bulldogs make the most of extra time
The Georgia football team left its French Quarter hotel on Wednesday afternoon to go to a team walkthrough.
Watch the team board the bus HERE.
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Remaining bowl games
There are four remaining non-CFP bowl games, for those who want to get every last bit out of this season.
- Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Fla., Duke vs. Mississippi — Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- First Responder Bowl, Dallas, North Texas vs. Texas State — Jan. 3, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
- Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Charlotte, NC., Minnesota vs. Virginia Tech — Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Bahamas Bowl, Nassau, Bahamas. Buffalo vs. Liberty — Jan. 4, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“This is not just an act of terrorism. This is evil.”
— New Orleans police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick at Wednesday’s news conference
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TRIVIA ANSWER
2024 Rose Bowl — Michigan defeated Alabama, 27-20
