Johnson says Tech must be 'dialed in' against Irish today

ATLANTA -- It's about time for Georgia Tech to pick on someone its own size.

After opening the season with two games against weak opposition, the Yellow Jackets will make a step up in weight division and play another heavyweight. The No. 14-ranked Yellow Jackets, easy winners against Alcorn State and Tulane, will have a better idea of what kind of team they really have today when they travel to South Bend to slug it out with No. 8 Notre Dame. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. and the game will be televised by NBC.

There might be a more difficult place in the country for the Georgia Tech football to get a reality check, but the list would be very short.

"They have got a lot of tradition, a lot of history and they have had some really good teams," coach Paul Johnson said. "But it's just like going to play anybody else. You've got to get ready to play.

"We've never made a big deal about going there to play. It's just like going to Clemson to play or going to somewhere else. You will be playing against good players. But it ought to be fun, you ought to embrace it -- a chance to compete."

Notre Dame leads the series 27-6-1 and leads 11-2-1 in games at South Bend. But Georgia Tech has won two of the last three meetings, including a 33-3 road victory to open the 2007 season.

"It is going to be a step up," Johnson said. "We just have to do our thing. It is as much about us as it is about who we play. We have got to go and be dialed in."

That means the Yellow Jackets won't make any big changes for this week's game. Justin Thomas will continue to run the offense as he has been and Georgia Tech will try to take advantage of its stable of A-backs or B-backs, depending on what is available.

How do these numbers sound?

Georgia Tech averages 457.5 yards rushing, best in the nation. Notre Dame allows 93.5 yards rushing, the 25th best in the nation.

Georgia Tech averages 67 points. Notre Dame's defense allows 15 points per game.

Georgia Tech averages 562 yards in total offense. Notre Dame permits 289.5 yards.

"Obviously a great matchup this weekend," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. "Georgia Tech has the most prolific offense in the country right now and has proven that over the last couple years. So certainly a great challenge."

Perhaps the biggest question going into the game surrounds the Notre Dame quarterback situation. Malik Zaire, who looked impressive in two games, blew up his ankle against Virginia and is out for the year. That leaves DeShone Kizer to fill that spot.

Kizer came in to lead the Irish to the win over Virginia. He threw two touchdown passes and played with great poise. The sophomore has good size (6-4, 230) and is said to possess a high football IQ.

"He's definitely ready to step up, there is no doubt about it," said Notre Dame offensive coordinator Nick Martin. "He's going to be very prepared for this game and all the games to come."

Johnson doesn't expect to see much of a dropoff in terms of ability, since both were highly recruited players. Nor does he expect to see the Irish change their offensive philosophy.

"Maybe a little, but I don't think you can change much," Johnson said. "I'm pretty sure they will just run their system. This is what they do. They may try to rely more on the offensive line and they have one of the best receivers in the country. So he's got a lot of weapons around him."

The Notre Dame offense features running back D.J. Prosise, who has rushed for 253 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Will Fuller has 12 catches for 266 yards (22.2 yard average) and four touchdowns. The Irish have been balanced, rushing for 233.5 yards and throwing for 260 yards.

There's no question that the Georgia Tech defense will be under more pressure than it has been all season. The Yellow Jackets will be challenged by better players who are faster and stronger.

"We're very excited about it," defensive end KeShun Freeman said. "We have to work on fixing the small things, so we can go up there and play better. The competition is amping up really big. I'm excited. This is my first time going to Notre Dame and seeing something that big."

Freeman has at least played on some big stages -- the ACC championship, the Orange Bowl, Sanford Stadium. But this will be the first road trip for at least 30 players. Many will be in reserve roles, but how they react will help determine the outcome.

"Two games into the season, most teams are still a work in progress and we're certainly there, too," Johnson said.

This story was originally published September 19, 2015 at 12:11 AM with the headline "Johnson says Tech must be 'dialed in' against Irish today ."