For the first time since the season opener on Aug. 31, the Notre Dame football team will leave Indiana for a game this week, traveling to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech (3:30 p.m., ESPN). After opening the year with a win over Texas A&M, the 12th-ranked Fighting Irish (5-1) have played four home games but only made one trip to in-state foe Purdue. Ta.
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The game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, so it is technically a neutral-site contest. However, Georgia Tech (5-2) is based in Atlanta, and its home stadium is less than three miles from the venue where Saturday’s game will be played. So, no matter how you look at it, this is a road game for Notre Dame.
Here are three keys to the Irish-Yellow Jackets showdown, as well as predictions from the South Bend Tribune staff.
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King’s health status
For the second week in a row, the health of Notre Dame’s opposing quarterback has been the key to the game. Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said in an interview Monday that King was “living hand to mouth” after he left last week’s 41-34 win over North Carolina with a right arm injury.
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King is the most accurate passer in the ACC, completing 71.2 percent of his throws for 1,568 yards, eight touchdowns, and just one interception so far this season. He also ranks second on the team with 353 rushing yards and six scores on the ground. King has started all 20 games since joining the Yellow Jackets’ roster in 2023.
If King is out, Zach Pyron will start in his place. That likely means the Yellow Jackets will rely on running back Jamal Haynes more than ever. The versatile running back has totaled 536 yards rushing, 85 yards receiving and eight touchdowns in seven games.
Notre Dame’s depth continues to shine
The Irish have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, especially on the defensive line. But the secondary took a big hit Monday when it was announced that All-American cornerback prospect Benjamin Morrison will be out for the season with a shoulder injury. Four cornerbacks have already been placed on the out-of-season list, and another, Jaden Mickey, announced three weeks ago that he would redshirt and enter the transfer portal.
This leaves Notre Dame short at the defensive back position. Morrison’s injury leaves true freshman Leonard Moore as one of the starting cornerbacks opposite sophomore Christian Gray. True freshman Carson Hobbs is listed as a reserve at both corner positions, as well as the nickel cornerback spot behind graduate student senior Jordan Clark.
Regardless of who plays quarterback for the Yellow Jackets, Moore and Hobbs will need strong performances for Notre Dame to win.
Defeat Georgia Tech in the air
Just like last week against Stanford, the Irish will need to excel in the passing game to be successful on offense. Georgia Tech limits opponents to 101 rushing yards per game while allowing 223 passing yards per game. Those totals rank 23rd and 82nd in the country, respectively, making competing for the Yellow Jackets easier than running.
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Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard had his best passing game of the season against Stanford, going 16-22 for 229 yards and three touchdowns. For the Irish to feel good about their chances on Saturday, their stat line will need to be comparable.
Game 7 vs. Georgia Tech predictions by South Bend Tribune staff
Mike Berardino: Notre Dame 28th, Georgia Tech 23rd. The Irish powerhouse has one win in B-Mo.
Tom Noye: Notre Dame 45, Georgia Tech 13. After a minute or so, the Irish showed they still know how to do charter flights, hotels and road games. Notre Dame has taken another step toward the greatness that Marcus Freeman demands.
Austin Howe: Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 21. It feels like the Irish attacking line is making real progress. Despite the injuries on the defensive end, they did enough to slow down the Yellow Jackets and give Atlanta the win.
