Three keys and prediction: Notre Dame-Georgia Tech

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1. Force third and long. Georgia Tech averaged a little over 34 minutes of possession per game en route to winning last year's Orange Bowl, with Justin Thomas quarterbacking a methodically ruthless triple option attack. The triple option is at its best when it can gain seven or eight yards before third down, since stopping all the misdirection and diving is nearly impossible on third and short. If Notre Dame's defense can force the Yellow Jackets into needing five or more yards on third downs, it'll make things much easier for a group that was gouged by Navy's triple option a year ago. 

2. No turnovers. Notre Dame hasn't committed a turnover since deposing Everett Golson as its starting quarterback last year, a stretch of 14 quarters. But the pressure -- literally and figuratively -- will be on redshirt freshman DeShone Kizer when he makes his first start Saturday in South Bend. Georgia Tech's defense is focused on generating turnovers and getting the ball back to its offense -- it forced 29 turnovers last year -- but is prone to giving up big-chunk plays. Kizer should have plenty of opportunities to get the ball to C.J. Prosise and Will Fuller for big plays, but a turnover could mean Notre Dame's offense doesn't see the ball again for another ten minutes.

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3. Finish drives. Notre Dame struggled in short-yardage and red zone situations against Virginia, needing a fake field goal to score a touchdown on their first trip inside the 20 and scoring their other three touchdowns on plays of 20-plus yards (which isn't a bad thing, obviously). But in a game that likely will be close, Notre Dame can't afford to have the same short-yardage issues (that led to an 0-10 mark on third downs) that plagued them in Charlottesville pop up, nor can they skate by with Justin Yoon connecting on a multitude of chip shot field goals. If Notre Dame wins, it'll be in a shootout, and it's tough to win shootouts with field goals.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 38, Notre Dame 34

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