How to watch Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame on TV or online, plus 3 things to know

A mere eight days ago, Notre Dame looked like a College Football Playoff contender. The Fighting Irish were coming off an absolute destruction of Texas and getting ready to face a Virginia team that didn’t figure to give them much of a scare. However, that game turned out to be a bigger nightmare than most Notre Dame fans could have imagined.

The Irish mounted a last-minute comeback to win the game, but they had to do it behind backup quarterback Deshone Kizer after Malik Zaire went down with an injury. Notre Dame announced that Zaire has a broken ankle and will be out for the season. So after losing star running back Tarean Folston in the first week and Zaire in the second, Notre Dame might have injured itself out of Playoff contention.

Now the question becomes what the No. 8 Irish can do with Kizer, who played well, all things considered, in leading the comeback against the Cavaliers. The first test will be one of the toughest the Irish face all season. After winning the Orange Bowl last season, the No. 14 Yellow Jackets are again one of the best teams in the ACC and will provide a stiff test for the Irish defense.

Last year, when trouble hit, the Notre Dame defense imploded. This year, it might need to carry the Irish while Kizer gets his feet wet. This game will give us a good idea of what Notre Dame can be without its quarterback.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC

Radio: Notre Dame, Georgia Tech

Online streaming: NBC Sports Live Extra

Spread: Notre Dame is favored by 2.5 points.

Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at One Foot Down for Notre Dame fans and From The Rumble Seat for Georgia Tech fans.

1. What is Notre Dame going to look like without Zaire? It’s not like Kizer gets a MAC team to get his feet wet after being thrown into the fire against Virginia. Georgia Tech is a legit team, and it might be a better team than the Irish without Zaire. Everything was set up for the Zaire-Folston offense, and now Kizer has to show what he can do.

2. Speaking of the Zaire-Folston offense, Notre Dame loses two of its three best playmakers with both of them out with injuries. Star wide receiver Will Fuller is still there, but who’s next in line? Meet C.J. Prosise, who has the ability to make plays as a do-it-all running back/wide receiver. He was talked about all preseason and now looks like a serious breakout candidate.

3. So ... Georgia Tech is pretty good, too. Yes, a lot of emphasis will be on Notre Dame, but with Florida State taking a step back and Clemson still beatable, though improved, Georgia Tech has a chance to win the ACC this year. Nothing like a win at Notre Dame to start up the hype train.