Notre Dame football 2024 opponent preview: Georgia Tech

This story appears in the Blue & Gold Illustrated 2024 Notre Dame Football Preview. To order your copy, click here.

The last time the Notre Dame football program matched up against Georgia Tech, it was not much of a match at all.

The Irish trounced the Yellow Jackets 55-0 in South Bend on Nov. 20, 2021, securing Marcus Freeman’s only shutout as the program’s defensive coordinator.

Though Notre Dame expects another dominant defense in Year 3 of the Freeman head coaching era, it would be surprising if they blanked the Yellow Jackets again.

Georgia Tech enters 2024 in Year 3 of Brent Key’s tenure with the fourth-best scoring offense in the ACC last season (31.1 points per game). It also brings back its leading passer, rusher and receiver.

Former Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King has been key in orchestrating a Jackets offense that averaged about two touchdowns per game more in 2023 than in 2022.

The 6-foot-3, 204-pound redshirt junior helped Georgia Tech reach the end zone from the air 27 times last season, good for 12th in the nation. His efforts earned him an All-ACC honorable mention nod.

Eric Singleton Jr. was on the receiving end of 6 of those scores, to go with his 48 catches for 714 yards. That output helped him secure honorable mention accolades in the ACC and a spot on On3’s true freshman All-America team.

For as good as Georgia Tech’s passing game became last season, it posed an even more intimidating rushing attack. It finished 12th in the FBS with 203.8 yards per game.

Fourth-year player Jamal Haynes switched from wide receiver to running back and was at the forefront of the ground offense. The 5-9, 180-pounder racked up 1,059 yards and 7 touchdowns on 174 carries and claimed a spot on the All-ACC third team.

He also maintained his pass-catching abilities, adding 20 receptions for 151 yards and a score. Those were worth all-purpose back honors in the conference.

King added 737 yards and 10 yards on the ground.

All-ACC honorable mentions at left guard (Joe Fusile) and right tackle (Jordan Williams) round out a proficient offense.

The question marks begin to populate on defense.

The Jackets return just one All-ACC player in senior defensive lineman Zeek Biggers. The 6-6, 333-pounder holds 1 of only 3 sacks among returning players. Last year’s leading tackler, Kyle Efford (81 stops), claimed one of the other quarterback takedowns.

The Yellow Jackets are especially inexperienced in the secondary, where their only returning starter is senior strong safety LaMiles Brooks. They also have redshirt junior Ahmari Harvey, who started five games last season and finished second on the team with 3 interceptions.

While Notre Dame might surrender some points against Georgia Tech in this year’s game, the Irish should be able to shell off a few offensive touchdowns. The Jackets defense was 98th in the country in points per game, allowing an average of 29.5.

Still, Georgia Tech enters 2024 with momentum. It won three of its last four ACC games and nearly upset then-No.1 Georgia in the regular-season finale. The Bulldogs escaped Atlanta with a 31-23 victory.

The Irish will look to do the same this season.

Reasons For Optimism

• All-ACC skill offense
• Dominant run game
• Budding program

All-ACC running back Jamal Haynes headlines a Georgia Tech offense with an all-conference quarterback (Haynes King) and wide receiver (Eric Singleton Jr.). Haynes’ 6.09 yards per carry ranked second in the ACC and 24th in the nation. The Jackets had the No. 12 rushing offense in 2023.

Reasons For Concern

• Weak run defense
• Poor pass rush
• Inexperienced secondary

Georgia Tech will need a big boost from its defensive front seven in 2024. In 2023, it contributed to surrendering 221.3 yards per game, the third-worst mark in college football. The Yellow Jackets also return just three players who recorded a sack last season.

Quick Facts

All-Time Series: Notre Dame leads 30-6-1

Last Meeting: Notre Dame 55, Georgia Tech 0 (Nov. 20, 2021 at South Bend)

Head Coach: Brent Key, 11-10 at Georgia Tech and overall (3rd year)

2023 Results: 7-6 overall, 5-3 ACC (T-4th); beat UCF 30-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl

Returning Starters: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)

Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Georgia Tech 28

Returning Leaders

Rushing: RB Jamal Haynes (1,059 yards, 7 TD)

Passing: QB Haynes King (2,842 yards, 27 TD)

Receiving: WR Eric Singleton Jr. (714 yards, 6 TD)

Tackles: LB Kyle Efford (81)

Sacks: Three players (1)

Interceptions: DB Ahmari Harvey (3)

Georgia Tech 2024 Schedule

DateOpponent2023 result

Aug. 24vs. Florida State^—

Aug. 31Georgia State—

Sept. 7at SyracuseW, 31-22

Sept. 14VMI—

Sept. 21at LouisvilleL, 39-34

Oct. 5Duke—

Oct. 12at North CarolinaW, 46-42

Oct. 19vs. Notre Dame*—

Oct. 26at Virginia Tech—

Nov. 9MiamiW, 23-20

Nov. 21NC State—

Nov. 30at GeorgiaL, 31-23

^ at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland

* at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta