Georgia Tech vs Notre Dame: Fighting Irish Close as Big Favorites Against the Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech and Notre Dame are both battling injuries today ahead of their clash in Mercedes Benz Stadium

Oct 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive lineman Kevin Harris II (11) with the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Travis Shaw (4) and defensive back Alijah Huzzie (28) defends in the third quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech and Notre Dame are getting ready to kickoff at Mercedes Benz Stadium and tas we get closer to kickoff, the Fighting Irish are going to be nearly two-touchdown favorites against the Yellow Jackets. According to Fanduel Sportsbook, Georgia Tech is going to be a 13.5-point underdog today vs Notre Dame and the total is set at 49.5.

Both teams are battling injuries, but they are piling up for Georgia Tech. It was reported yesterday that the Yellow Jackets were going to be without starting quarterback Haynes King, but ESPN's Pete Thamel reported this afternoon that linebacker Kyle Efford is out and defensive back Rodney Shelley is going to be a game-time decision.

Sources: Georgia Tech will be without star linebacker Kyle Efford, the team’s leading tackler and best defensive player, against No. 12 Notre Dame today. He’s dealing with an undisclosed injury. He’s got 52 tackles and a sack for Tech this year. pic.twitter.com/2LsjOxFp1e

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 19, 2024

Also, versatile DB Rodney Shelley is a gametime decision for Tech.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 19, 2024

This is of course going to impact Georgia Tech's chances today. With Efford out, linebackers Jackson Hamilton and Tah'j Butler are likely to see more playing time as a result. If Shelley cannot go, Syeed Gibbs and Omar Daniels will likely see the snaps at nickel.

Here is how you can watch Saturday's game.

TV: ESPN

• Play-by-Play: Bob Wischusen

• Analyst: Louis Riddick

• Sideline Reporter: Kris Budden

RADIO: Georgia Tech Sports Network

• Play-by-Play: Andy Demetra

• Analyst: Andrew Gardner

• Sideline Reporter: Chris Mooneyham

• In Atlanta: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan

• Across Georgia: Visit RamblinWreck.com for station affiliate list

• Satellite: SiriusXM 85

• Mobile Apps: GT Yellow Jackets, 680 The Fan, SiriusXM, TuneIn

• Online: RamblinWreck.com, 680TheFan.com

This is going to be the best team that Georgia Tech has played all season and Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key shared his thoughts about the Fighting Irish on Tuesday and was especially complimentary of how their defense plays:

"So we're excited to play and we've got to prepare this week. And in order, we've got to prepare in a big way in order to play a big game. It is what it is. So the talented football team, we're getting ready to play. So Marcus has done a really good job there. He's been there for three years now. And his tenacity as a player, when he was a player, and as a defensive coach, you see that in the team. They are in the top, you know, the top, I think almost every defensive category, you know, they're going to run the football. They're a run first team. Got a really good quarterback. He's good throwing the football as well as good, good with his feet. Very similar to our quarterback in what he does and what he can do. Probably a little more designed quarterback runs in the open field on normal downs than us. But they have a, they have a big offensive line. they're young, they have some guys in there that are getting, you know, playing for the first time this season. You see them each week come together more and more, become more of a cohesive unit. So we're excited to play them. We're excited to, you know, play at Mercedes-Benz and excited to have our fans there, excited to have our student body come over and, you know, mile down the road and be able to be a part of the outcome of this game. And I know they will. We're excited about it, and can't wait to go play. We've got a lot of work between now and then to get done.

They've got good players and a good scheme. They're not an ultra-complicated scheme. They have enough compliments within their scheme to where it looks the same than they'll blitz out of or send pressure out of it, tweaks in the coverage. But at the end of the day, they're going to line up, play four down, and then they're going to play man coverage and challenge you at the receiver's spot, make you throw on time, try to limit the run game with the extra hat in the box. And they got good players doing it. So obviously, you know, the head coach is a defensive coach, but they have one of the better defense coordinators in the country, and Al Golden, you know, calling the defense. And, you know, I don't know him personally, But people I'm very close to that I respect a lot and know played for him and know what type of coach he is. And you see the tenacity and the defense and then take on that personality as well."

Additional Links:

Georgia Tech Football: Luke Harpring Shares How Much Wearing No. 15 Means to Him

Georgia Tech Football: ESPN's FPI favors Notre Dame this weekend vs Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech Football: Jamal Haynes and Luke Harpring Preview Matchup Against Notre Dame's Defense