There’s a crisis in No. 9 Notre Dame with starting quarterback Malik Zaire out for the season with a broken ankle. But the Fighting Irish fought back as backup DeShone Kizer orchestrated a come-from-behind victory over Virginia in Week 2. The team now has a very tough home game ahead against fellow ranked team the No. 15 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets’ offense was again in full force in Week 2, taking a 65-10 victory against overmatched Tulane.
A lot of exciting games are on deck for Week 3. Check out the complete previews for a pair of crucial SEC matchups in Ole Miss vs. Alabama and Auburn vs. LSU.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame
When: Sunday, September 20, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-2.5) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+2.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech took a dominant victory at home against Tulane in Week 2, putting up 65 points on the board. Quarterback Justin Thomas showed off a strong arm to go along with his running ability, connecting on a 17-yard touchdown pass with Qua Searcy and hurling a 30-yard scoring pass to Michael Summers. He also ran for a four-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Thomas finished 7 of 9 for 97 passing yards and two touchdowns, and also added 71 yards and a score on 10 rushing attempts before leaving the game late in the third quarter. Backup quarterback Matthew Jordan showed some dual-threat ability afterwards; he completed his only pass for a 35-yard touchdown and ran for 72 yards and a score on just three carries.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Patrick Skov, Clinton Lynch, Searcy and Marcus Allen also each scored a rushing touchdown against Tulane. Strong as the Yellow Jackets’ rushing offense may be, they may not light up the scoreboard as often against a tough Notre Dame defense. The Fighting Irish have allowed just 187 total rushing yards through the first two games of the season, but allowed two scores on the road against Virginia.
The Yellow Jackets’ triple option offense does give opponents plenty of headaches. Thomas, for one, is a huge a threat on the ground with his mobility. Freshman running back Marcus Marshall is also a force with a team-high 184 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries through the first two games of the season, while starting fellow back Skov already has three scores himself as well. Having three threats on the ground should help Georgia Tech get past Notre Dame’s tight rushing D.
Georgia Tech has won four straight on the road, going 4-0 against the spread.
Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Just a week after an impressive 300-yard, three-touchdown performance in the 38-3 season-opening victory over Texas, starting quarterback Malik Zaire suffers a fractured ankle, which will cause him to miss the remainder of the season. Good thing backup DeShone Kizer looked like he was ready to step up after leading the Fighting Irish to a 34-27 come-from-behind victory over Virginia this past Saturday.
Kizer connected with wide receiver Will Fuller on a 39-yard touchdown pass for the go-ahead score with just 12 seconds remaining. Fuller was at his best in that game, finishing with 124 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions. He now has 266 yards and four touchdowns through the first two games of the season. Fuller should be a big test for a Georgia Tech defense that has yet to be tested by a top-flight passing game.
The Fighting Irish could also light up the board with their rushing offense. Senior running back C.J. Prosise was excellent in Week 2 after racking up 155 yards and a score on 17 carries against a tough Virginia defense. If there’s a hole in the Georgia Tech defense, though, it would be the unit’s failure to keep opposing running games in check. The Yellow Jackets have allowed a total of 237 rushing yards through the first two games of the season.
Notre Dame has won eight of its last 10 home games, but has gone just 5-5 ATS.
Writer’s Prediction
Kizer shines as the Fighting Irish take a tightly-contested victory at home. Create a betting account now and get in on the hottest college football games to come.
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