Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Face Off vs. #8 Notre Dame

The 14th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets face their first real test of the 2015 season on Saturday as they travel to South Bend, Indiana to face the 8th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Jackets enter the game as 2.5 point favorites on the road.

THE MATCHUP:

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are at the moment the most potent offense in the country, averaging 457.5 yards per game (1st in the nation), 8.47 yards per carry (1st in the nation) and 67 points per game (2nd in the nation). Paul Johnson’s team will have to be firing on all cylinders on Saturday against a very good Notre Dame defense that will focus on eliminating the run game as best they can.

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Despite having a good defense, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have struggled against triple-option offenses recently, namely against Navy. The Midshipmen have score 73 points on the Irish in their last two meetings.

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The Fighting Irish also have a very good offense, with WR Will Fuller leading the country in receiving yards per game (averaging 133). With starting QB Malik Zaire and RB Tarean Folston out for the season, the onus will be on QB DeShone Kizer, and how he fairs in his first career start.

KEY PLAYERS:

Notre Dame:

DeShone Kizer, QB (Sophomore) – Without starting QB Malik Zaire, Notre Dame will call upon Sophomore QB DeShone Kizer to run the Irish offense. In last week’s game against Virginia, Kizer through a 40 yard TD pass to WR Will Fuller with 12 seconds left to secure the victory for the Irish, 34-27. Kizer can run the ball, so the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense will have to account for his ability to run, should the pocket collapse.

C.J. Prosise, RB (Senior) – Notre Dame’s starting RB Tarean Folston tore his ACL three carries into the 2015 season, giving C.J. Prosise, a Senior from Virginia, the chance the take the bulk of the carries for the Irish offense. Last week against Virginia, Prosise rushed for 155 yards and a score. He is also versatile back with the ability to catch the ball, evidenced by his 576 receiving yards in 2014.

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech:

Ricky Jeune, WR (Sophomore) – Ricky Jeune only caught 1 pass for 6 yards last week against Tulane in a game where the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ offense surprisingly passed the ball quite frequently. As Notre Dame will undoubtedly be preparing for Jackets’ rushing attack, it would serve the Ramblin’ Wreck well to air the ball out to keep the defense honest.

Justin Thomas, QB (Junior) – The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ QB has the chance to shine in front of a national audience on Saturday against Notre Dame. The dynamic Junior QB from Prattville, AL was already in the discussion for ACC Player of the Year during the preseason, but now could elevate his stock nationally with a great game and a victory against the 8th ranked Fighting Irish. His ability to run the ball and pass will be key if the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets want to leave South Bend with a victory.

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