The 12th-ranked BYU Cougars will face No. 22 Georgia Tech from the ACC in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27. Both teams put together strong 2025 campaigns but ultimately fell just short of the College Football Playoff. Still, this matchup offers each program a valuable opportunity to close the season with a win over a ranked opponent.
BYU enters the matchup with an 11-2 record and opened as a 2.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 55.5 total points. Georgia Tech comes in at 9-3, looking to cap off a strong season. Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET in Orlando, Florida, and will air on ABC. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Bear Bachmeier, BYU Quarterback
Leading a Power Five program to an 11-1 regular season and a conference championship appearance is an impressive feat—especially for a true freshman quarterback. As the year progressed, Bear Bachmeier steadily gained confidence under center, eclipsing 200 passing yards in five games. He finished the season with 2,708 passing yards and ranked 19th nationally in QBR at 76.8. Now, he faces another challenge in a Georgia Tech defense that held opponents under 20 points in four games. Saturday’s bowl matchup will serve as another measuring stick for how far the freshman has come.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech Quarterback
Haynes King has been a driving force behind Georgia Tech’s 2025 campaign, which marked the program’s most wins in a season since 2014. One of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks, King passed for 2,697 yards while also rushing for 922 yards and 15 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to impact the game through the air and on the ground.
Top Storylines
Georgia Tech’s Resurgence Under Brent Key
The Yellow Jackets have now posted three straight winning seasons under Brent Key, accomplishing the feat in each of his first three years at the helm. The stretch marks a clear turnaround for a program that struggled for consistency before his arrival, signaling growing stability and momentum in Atlanta. Key’s offensive packages, paired with King’s versatility, make Georgia Tech difficult to predict, meaning BYU’s defense will need to be well-prepared for a wide range of looks.
How Will Each Team Respond After Missing the CFP?
Both BYU and Georgia Tech had outside shots at the College Football Playoff but ultimately fell short. Now, the focus shifts to who can finish strong and carry momentum into 2026. For BYU, a 12-win season in just their third year in the Big 12 would be a massive statement. For Georgia Tech, a 10-win campaign under Key would signal their return to national relevance.
Prediction: BYU 31, Georgia Tech 24
This matchup features two well-coached teams with dynamic quarterbacks, but BYU has a slight edge in overall balance and late-season production. Bachmeier has looked increasingly composed as a true freshman, and the Cougars have shown they can win in multiple ways, something that could prove decisive against a Georgia Tech defense that’s been inconsistent at times. King’s experience will keep the Yellow Jackets in it, but BYU’s should close this one out late. Expect a competitive, back-and-forth game with the Cougars pulling away in the fourth quarter.
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