The outlook for No. 8 Notre Dame’s season changed with Malik Zaire’s ankle injury. The Fighting Irish must now find answers quickly as No. 14 Georgia Tech invades Notre Dame Stadium for a top-15 clash. The Irish turn to freshman DeShone Kizer at quarterback, but must slow down the Yellow Jacket’s potent triple-option running game, or it won’t matter who’s behind center.
ODDS
Notre Dame hit the board as 1.5-point chalk but the spread did a reversal when it was learned Zaire was done for the year. The total also took a dip from its opening 59 after the news. Georgia Tech is now a road favorite at -2.5 while the total tumbled to 55.5.
KEY MISMATCH
Quarterback Justin Thomas runs the triple-option expertly, which is partly why the Yellow Jackets lead the nation in rush yards per game and are second in scoring. Georgia Tech averaged 457.5 yards and 67 points in wins against Alcorn State and Tulane, while picking up nearly nine yards a carry. The triple-option is designed to get defenders out of position, have the quarterback make the correct read and deliver the football to the back that has an advantage against the defense. Sometimes that’s Thomas calling his own number. And the Jackets have a bevy of backs that run the ball, making it even more difficult on the defense. Eight different players have rushed for better than 60 yards and 10 have scored a touchdown. Notre Dame had some defensive lapses against Virginia, looking confused at times with players running into each other and missing assignments. That’s particularly worrisome going against the option where playing assignment football is required.
KEY STAT
457.5 – Georgia Tech leads the country in rush yards per game. The Yellow Jackets run the triple-option offense to perfection and average a FBS-best 8.5 yards per carry. Tech also ranks second in scoring with 67.0 points per game.
BETTING ANGLE
The Irish must press on with what is essentially their third quarterback after losing Malik Zaire last week to a broken ankle. Zaire had taken over at the end of last season for Everett Golson, who eventually transferred to Florida State. Now the job belongs to freshman DeShone Kizer, who engineered a comeback victory last week against Virginia. But the pressure is off Notre Dame now, as the fighting Irish have essentially been eliminated from any College Football Playoff talk following the loss of Zaire. That has to serve as a huge motivating factor. And the idea that Notre Dame can’t defend Tech’s triple-option offense is ludicrous. The Irish have plenty of NFL talent on the defensive side of the ball and they are no strangers to the option. The Irish play the Naval Academy annually and with a game against the Midshipmen in a few weeks, coach Brian Kelly has devoted some extra time preparing against the option during practices.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Kizer rallied the Irish for a win last week at Virginia after taking over for Zaire. But now with the controls in his grasp the expectations are different. Notre Dame has the talent on defense to overcome the loss of its starting quarterback, but the group looked baffled by the Cavaliers last week and the Irish have not been able to stop the triple-option attack in the past. Kizer and the offense must control the game to keep the Jackets and Thomas off the field while giving the D a chance to rest. If they succeed, the Irish have a chance. Georgia Tech catches a break against a depleted Irish squad that is also without Tarean Folston. The Jackets execute the option attack to perfection and run over the Irish for a big road win.
Georgia Tech 31, Notre Dame 27
The college football lines for this contest were first released by BookMaker and the Fighting Irish were positioned as 1.5-point favorites with a total of 59. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Notre Dame Fighting Irish square off on Saturday, September 19, 2015, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
