What will decide Notre Dame football vs. Georgia Tech? Here are 3 keys

For the first time since its season opener on Aug. 31, the Notre Dame football team will leave Indiana State for a game this week when it travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech (3:30 p.m., ESPN). After a win at Texas A&M to open the year, the No. 12 Fighting Irish (5-1) have played four home games and traveled to in-state foe Purdue just once.

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The game is technically a neutral site contest, as it is being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. However, Georgia Tech (5-2) is located in Atlanta, whose home stadium is less than three miles away from Saturday's game. So, for all intents and purposes, this is a road game for Notre Dame.

Here are three keys to the Irish vs. Yellow Jackets showdown, along with predictions from the South Bend Tribune staff.

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King's health

For the second week in a row, the health of the opposing quarterback is a top key to the game for Notre Dame. Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said King was “day-to-day” in an interview Monday after leaving last week's 41-34 win over North Carolina with an apparent right hand injury.

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King is the most accurate passer in the ACC, completing 71.2% of his throws for 1,568 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception so far this season. He is second on the team with 353 rushing yards and six scores on the ground. King has started 20 games since joining the Yellow Jackets roster in 2023.

If King is unavailable to go, Zach Pyron will start in his place. That likely means the Yellow Jackets lean toward the running back more than Jamaal Haynes, as the versatile running back has 536 yards rushing, 85 yards receiving and eight touchdowns through seven games.

Notre Dame's depth continues to shine

The Irish have been plagued by the injury bug all season, especially on the defensive line. The secondary suffered a huge blow Monday, however, when it was announced that All-American cornerback candidate Benjamin Morrison would be out for the season with a shoulder injury. Four cornerbacks have already been drafted for the season, and Jaden Mickey announced another three weeks ago that he will redshirt and enter the transfer portal.

This leaves Notre Dame thin at the defensive back position. Morrison's injury moves true freshman Leonard Moore into one of the starting cornerback spots, opposite Christian Gray. True freshman Carson Hobbs is listed as the backup at both corner positions and the nickel cornerback spot behind graduating senior Jordan Clark.

Regardless of who plays quarterback for the Yellow Jackets, Moore and Hobbs will need strong performances for Notre Dame to win.

Beating Georgia Tech through the air

Like last week against Stanford, the Irish will need to be good in the passing game to be successful on offense. Georgia Tech has limited opponents to 101 yards per game but allowed 223 passing yards per game. Those totals rank 23rd and 82nd in the nation, respectively, making it easier to throw on the Yellow Jackets than to run.

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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. The Irish need to look at the stat line comparisons to feel good about his chances on Saturday.

South Bend Tribune staff predictions for Game 7 vs. Georgia Tech

Mike Berardino: Notre Dame 28, Georgia Tech 23. Banged-up Irish wins one for B-Mo.

Tom Noe: Notre Dame 45, Georgia Tech 13. The Irish show they still know how to do this charter flight-hotel-road game thing, even though it's been a minute. Notre Dame takes another step toward the greatness that Marcus Freeman claims.

Austin Howe: Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 21. It seems like the Irish offense is really finding its stride. Even with the injuries on defense, they did enough to slow down the Yellow Jackets and leave Atlanta with the win.