No. 12 BYU takes on No. 22 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl today in Orlando with a chance to salvage an impressive season after their devastating Big 12 championship loss. The Cougars fell 34-7 to Texas Tech just three weeks ago, missing out on the College Football Playoff in the process. Now BYU looks to show why they belonged among the nation’s elite with a bowl victory.
🔥 Quick Facts
- BYU enters 11-2, tied for second in Big 12 with an 8-1 conference record before championship loss
- Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier leads the Cougars offense in his first year since transferring from Stanford
- Georgia Tech sits 9-3 with a 6-2 ACC record after two consecutive defeats
- Kickoff today at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC from Camping World Stadium in Orlando
BYU Seeks Redemption After Big 12 Championship Heartbreak
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The Cougars’ path to the playoffs came to an abrupt halt on December 6 when Texas Tech dominated BYU 34-7 in the Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. That blowout prevented BYU from reaching the College Football Playoff despite an exceptional regular season that included a perfect 6-0 home record.
Head coach Kalani Sitake’s squad showed resilience throughout 2025, winning 11 games in their inaugural Big 12 season. However, the championship game loss stung deeply, especially after questions surfaced about why the Cougars were penalized for playing their conference title game against a stronger opponent.
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Today’s Pop-Tarts Bowl represents a chance to silence critics and end the season on a positive note with a 12th victory against an ACC opponent that’s also searching for momentum heading into next season.
Georgia Tech’s Two-Loss Stumble Leads to Orlando Matchup
The Yellow Jackets finished 9-3 after losing their final two games, including a 16-9 defeat to Georgia and a 42-28 loss to Pitt. Despite the late-season slide, Georgia Tech earned recognition as a ranked team for the first time since 2014 when they secured the No. 22 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Georgia Tech relied heavily on a run-heavy offensive approach powered by a deep rotation of running backs and quarterback Haynes King. The Yellow Jackets averaged strong second-half performances throughout the season, though they’ll face challenges against a BYU defense that finished plus-eight in turnover margin for the entire season.
Several Georgia Tech players opted out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which could impact depth on both sides of the ball for the ACC representative.
Bowl Game Details and Key Matchup Information
| Category | Details |
| Matchup | No. 12 BYU (11-2) vs. No. 22 Georgia Tech (9-3) |
| Kickoff Time | Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT |
| Location | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida |
| Television | ABC |
| Series History | Fifth meeting between programs; BYU leads 3-1 |
Storylines to Watch in Today’s Pop-Tarts Bowl Showdown
Bear Bachmeier’s bowl game debut will be critical for BYU’s offensive success against Georgia Tech’s defense. The freshman signal-caller has impressed this season, including four fourth-quarter comebacks from double-digit deficits. His ability to manage the game and execute in pressure situations could determine the Cougars’ effectiveness on offense.
Georgia Tech’s turnover margin will be worth monitoring closely, as the Yellow Jackets haven’t demonstrated the ball security that BYU featured throughout 2025. BYU’s ability to force turnovers and protect the football could prove decisive in the matchup. The Cougars’ secondary has been aggressive all season, creating opportunities for interceptions and defensive stops.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick will look to establish BYU’s running game early against Georgia Tech’s defense, which showed vulnerability against strong rushing attacks late in the season. Establishing control of the line of scrimmage and controlling game tempo could limit Georgia Tech’s playmakers.
Will BYU’s Snub from the Playoff Drive Today’s Victory?
The narrative surrounding BYU’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff could serve as extra motivation for Kalani Sitake’s team to prove their worth on the national stage. ESPN’s Analytics Matchup Predictor gives BYU a 65.7% chance of winning today, suggesting many experts believe the Cougars have the talent advantage.
Georgia Tech, meanwhile, will attempt to show their selection for inclusion in the playoff bracket was justified despite their stumble down the stretch. Both programs have something to prove in Orlando today, making this matchup competitive regardless of their final regular season records.
