Eric Boggs 
Notre Dame stays alive in the CFP after defeating Georgia Tech.
Notre Dame continued its winning ways with a 31-13 victory over Georgia Tech, moving to 6-1 and keeping its College Football Playoff hopes alive. Despite falling behind early, the Irish imposed their will as the game wore on, showcasing resilience and control throughout the afternoon. The win strengthens their case for a spot in the inaugural 12-team playoff, especially with a manageable remaining schedule featuring winnable matchups against Navy, Florida State, Army, Virginia, and USC.
If Notre Dame wins out, finishing 11-1, a playoff spot is likely. The Irish’s resume already includes a critical victory over Texas A&M, which continues to rise in the SEC rankings. As SEC and Big Ten teams ahead of Notre Dame face difficult matchups that could lead to cannibalization, the Irish find themselves in a strong position to climb the rankings. With upcoming SEC and Big Ten showdowns, an 11-1 Notre Dame team could easily leapfrog a 10-2 team from those conferences.
Saturday’s game followed a familiar pattern for the Irish, as they struggled early, allowing Georgia Tech to score first. Notre Dame’s offense started sluggishly, with a three-and-out followed by a Riley Leonard interception. However, the Irish rebounded quickly, scoring two consecutive touchdowns and taking a 14-7 lead, which they would never relinquish. Leonard, after his rough start, completed 12 straight passes to guide the Irish to victory, though Notre Dame’s offense faltered in the second half.
Despite the offensive struggles, Notre Dame’s defense shined, controlling the game and preventing Georgia Tech from mounting a serious comeback. Linebacker Drayk Bowen continues to improve each week, playing a key role in shutting down Georgia Tech’s rushing attack. Defensive lineman Bryce Young also impressed, with his pressure leading to a key Adon Shuler pick-six in the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame used trick plays, including a fake punt and fake field goal, to keep Georgia Tech off balance, but the offense’s second-half performance left room for improvement. Still, the Irish defense carried the day, dominating Georgia Tech and ensuring the victory. With a potential College Football Playoff spot on the line, Notre Dame has everything to play for as it moves into the second half of the season. The next big test comes against Navy’s unique offense, but if Notre Dame can clean up its offensive struggles, it remains on track for a possible home playoff game.
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