Georgia Tech vs. BYU Prediction and Picks - December 27, 2025
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-3) and the BYU Cougars (11-2) meet this Saturday at Camping World Stadium for a highly anticipated Pop-Tarts Bowl. Both programs narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff, with BYU falling just short after a loss in the Big 12 Championship and Georgia Tech finishing strong despite a late-season rivalry loss to Georgia. This game serves as a significant milestone for Brent Key's Yellow Jackets, who are hunting for their first 10-win season since 2014. For Kalani Sitake and the Cougars, it's an opportunity to reach the 12-win mark for the first time in over two decades. With two of the nation's most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks on display, fans in Orlando are expecting plenty of fireworks before the winning team "devours" the edible mascot.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Lean on ACC Player of the Year
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The Yellow Jackets enter the postseason led by ACC Player of the Year Haynes King, who has been a statistical juggernaut. King finished the regular season with 2,697 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, but his true impact is felt on the ground, where he led the ACC with 15 rushing touchdowns while racking up 922 yards. Georgia Tech’s offense travels well because it doesn't rely on a single explosive play; they use a physical offensive line and a rotation of backs like Malachi Hosley and Jamal Haynes to wear opponents down and dominate time of possession.
Defensively, Georgia Tech has shown they can play with the elite, most recently holding Georgia to just 16 points in a narrow loss. The linebacker duo of Kyle Efford (72 tackles) and E.J. Lightsey will be tasked with containing a BYU offense that is dealing with significant roster turnover in the backfield. If the Yellow Jackets can maintain their discipline in the trenches and avoid the special teams miscues that have occasionally plagued them, they have the formula to dominate a neutral-site game.
BYU Cougars Adjusting Without Star Power
The Cougars arrive in Orlando with a "next man up" mentality. The biggest story for BYU is the absence of Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin, who is out following recent surgery. Martin’s 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns were the heartbeat of the offense, and his absence forces BYU to rely on a committee of Enoch Nawahine and Preston Rex, who have combined for limited touches this year. All eyes will be on true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who has been cleared to play after an ankle injury limited him in the Big 12 title game. Bachmeier has been sensational in his debut season, accounting for over 3,200 total yards and 26 touchdowns.
On the other side of the ball, BYU’s defense remains one of the stingiest in the country, particularly in the red zone where they rank 9th nationally. Linebacker Jack Kelly is a game-wrecker with 10 sacks, and the secondary features ball-hawking safety Tanner Wall, who leads the team with four interceptions. For BYU to secure their 12th win, they will need their defense to force Haynes King into uncomfortable passing situations and hope Bachmeier’s mobility is high enough to extend drives without his star running back.
Expert Picks and Predictions
Georgia Tech vs BYU ATS Pick
Georgia Tech +4
I am taking the points with the Yellow Jackets in this spot. While BYU has the higher ranking, the loss of LJ Martin is a massive blow to their identity. Martin wasn't just a runner; he was the safety valve that allowed their freshman quarterback to stay ahead of the chains. Georgia Tech has the more experienced quarterback in Haynes King, and their defense is coming off a performance where they went toe-to-toe with one of the most physical teams in the country. I expect Georgia Tech’s rushing attack to find success against a BYU front that looked vulnerable in their last two outings, making this a one-score game that could easily go the Yellow Jackets' way.
Georgia Tech vs BYU Total Pick
Under 55.5
I'm siding with the Under for this afternoon matchup. While both quarterbacks are explosive, bowl games often feature a "feeling out" period, and both of these coaching staffs prefer to lean on the run to settle their teams down. BYU is missing their top two running backs, which likely leads to a more conservative, quick-passing game script to protect Bachmeier’s ankle. On the flip side, Georgia Tech’s preferred method of winning is a slow, methodical ground game that bleeds the clock. With two solid red-zone defenses and the pressure of a top-25 bowl matchup, I see this landing in the 27-24 range, staying just under the total.
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