Notre Dame football score predictions: Fighting Irish vs. Georgia Tech staff picks

Notre Dame travels to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Saturday, and Blue & Gold likes the Irish to extend their winning streak to five.

Here are our staff predictions.

Tyler Horka: Notre Dame 30, Georgia Tech 13

These neutral site games can be wacky and unpredictable when Notre Dame plays a capable opponent, and Georgia Tech is exactly that, even if they aren’t as strong of a foe as we all expected coming out of the Week 0 win over Florida State. Still, the Yellow Jackets have enough playmakers on offense and are well-coached enough to put up a fight on defense. They’re going to want to defend their home city of Atlanta.

The Fighting Irish are going to want to start the second half of the season with a Power Four win away from home, though, and that’s just what they’re going to do. This one might not ever reach blowout level, but it’ll always feel firmly in the hands of the Irish after a quick start and enough points added here and there for a comfortable win. 

Jack Soble: Fighting Irish 38, Yellow Jackets 20

Notre Dame’s season-opening win has aged quite well. Georgia Tech’s has not, with Florida State proving to be an absolute train wreck. The Yellow Jackets, meanwhile, lost to Louisville and Syracuse. This is still a game the Irish can lose, but Georgia Tech isn’t the upstart many thought it was after the FSU win — particularly if quarterback Haynes King can’t play.

The Yellow Jackets can run the ball on the Irish, which is why they’ll cross the 20-point threshold. But this one shouldn’t be close at the end.

Kyle Kelly: Notre Dame 28, Georgia Tech 27

While Marcus Freeman’s teams on the road against ACC opponents have produced mixed results, the Irish have not lost to Georgia Tech in Atlanta since 1976. So, I am giving Notre Dame the slightest of edges in this game. One thing to be mindful of is Riley Leonard is 0-1 against the Yellow Jackets as a starter. Georgia Tech also has the better quarterback in King, if he plays.

Still, the Irish defense is much better than the Yellow Jackets, which should help Notre Dame escape Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a win. 

Todd D. Burlage: Fighting Irish 28, Yellow Jackets 20

With its top passer, rusher and receiver returning in 2024 from an offense that finished fourth in the ACC in scoring last season (31.1 points a game), Georgia Tech was expected to lean on its offense this season to find any success. 

And while the Yellow Jackets are averaging 32.9 points a game this season, it’s surprisingly been their defense that has drawn more attention. Georgia Tech respectfully ranks 23rd nationally in rushing defense (103.7 yards per game) and 41st in scoring defense (20.6 points a game).

Turnovers — or a lack thereof — will be a storyline to watch. Georgia Tech has turned the ball over only twice this year, but has also forced only 5 turnovers. Expect a good tussle in this game, at least through the first half, but for Notre Dame to find a way late.

Steve Downey: Notre Dame 26, Georgia Tech 23

With undefeated Navy looming the following week, Notre Dame would be well advised not to look ahead in what could be a good old-fashioned trap game against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets will be playing in their backyard, and boasted the third-best rush defense in the ACC while allowing 21.4 points per game heading into Week 8. 

The Fighting Irish need quarterback Riley Leonard to build on his passing performance against Stanford. Leonard’s running ability will be key to the Irish making a dent in the Yellow Jackets’ stingy run defense, but he should also be able to make the necessary strides throwing the ball against a shoddy pass defense.

If he can do that and avoid turnovers — notably, the Jackets had just 2 takeaways through six games — the Irish will pull this one out in a closer-than-anticipated contest. 

Mike Singer: Fighting Irish 34, Yellow Jackets 14

This should be a fun matchup in Mercedes-Benz Stadium and could be entertaining for a bit, but Georgia Tech just doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with Notre Dame. I don’t see this game as a blowout, but I do like the Fighting Irish to win comfortably.