The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the BYU Cougars in the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
BYU is favored by 4 points on the spread with a moneyline of -180. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, enters as a +4 underdog and is +155 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 56 total points.
Here’s my Georgia Tech vs. BYU prediction and college football picks for Saturday, December 27.
Georgia Tech vs BYU Prediction
- Georgia Tech vs. BYU Pick: Under 56.5
My BYU vs. Georgia Tech best bet is on both teams to go under the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Georgia Tech vs BYU Odds
| Georgia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 56 -110o / -110u | +155 |
| BYU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 56 -110o / -110u | -180 |
- Georgia Tech vs BYU Spread: BYU -4, Georgia Tech +4
- Georgia Tech vs BYU Over/Under: 56 Points
- Georgia Tech vs BYU Moneyline: Georgia Tech +155, BYU -180
Georgia Tech vs BYU Pop-Tarts Bowl Preview
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview: Looking to Bounce Back
Georgia Tech got off to an 8-0 start and reached as high as No. 8 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
With the inside track in the ACC, Georgia Tech had plans to claim the first CFP bid in school history. Instead, it lost three of its last four games, failing to reach the ACC Championship and losing to Georgia once again.
The latter likely will gnaw at head coach Brent Key even more, given his disdain for the Bulldogs.
Still, the finish didn't take away from the season Tech had or what Key is building. In his fourth year, Key has a chance to secure his first 10-win season and the first for the program in 11 years.
If the Yellow Jackets do secure a 10th victory, it will likely be because of senior quarterback Haynes King. King accounted for 3,619 yards of offense (2,697 passing, 922 rushing) and 27 touchdowns (12 passing, 15 rushing) in just 11 games.
He became the fifth player in the last 70 years to average at least 240 passing yards and 80 rushing yards per game. Three of the previous four quarterbacks in that group — Johnny Manziel, Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels — won the Heisman Trophy. King finished 10th in the voting this year.
King is expected to play in this game, as is running back Jamal Haynes and wide receiver Eric Rivers. Haynes is Georgia Tech's third-leading rusher, while Rivers leads the team with 42 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns.
Georgia Tech wasn't hit too hard by opt-outs in this game, but it may not have center Tana Alo-Tupuola, who's a part-time starter. It will also be without wide receiver Isiah Canion, defensive end Brayden Manley, and safeties Jy Gilmore and Clayton Powell-Lee.
The defensive losses could be felt in this game, as Georgia Tech's tailspin was partially due to allowing 40 points in two of its three losses.
It allows nearly 400 total yards per game while being tied for 107th in Havoc and tied for 88th in Success Rate allowed.
BYU Cougars Betting Preview: Left Out of CFP
Like Georgia Tech, BYU is also likely disappointed that it's not in the College Football Playoff. Despite being the one team left out of the Miami-Notre Dame debate, BYU had a chance to play its way into the 12-team field but was outscored, 63-14, in two games against Texas Tech.
Still, the Cougars are 11-2 for the second season in a row and will be looking for their first 12-win season in 24 years.
BYU has won 10 games in four of the last six years. More double-digit win seasons could be around the corner with head coach Kalani Sitake sticking around for the foreseeable future after flirting with Penn State.
One of the players he'll continue building around is quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
The true freshman has thrown for 2,708 yards and 14 touchdowns with just six interceptions while completing 64% of his passes. He also added 527 yards and 11 scores on the ground.
For his efforts, Bachmeier was named the 247Sports True Freshman of the Year.
Bachmeier's legs could be a significant factor in this game, as running back LJ Martin — the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year — is out following surgery.
Backup running back Sione Moa is out as well, leaving Enoch Nawahine, Jovesa Damuni and Preston Rex as co-starters on the depth chart.
The Cougars average 184.4 rushing yards per game and are facing a porous run defense, so at least one of the three should see significant work.
While the Cougars will be shorthanded in the backfield, Sitake confirmed the team had no other opt-outs. They'll be looking to finish the year on a high note.
Georgia Tech vs BYU Pick, Betting Analysis
These are two teams that love running the football, which means we could see a lot of long, methodical scoring drives. If that's the case, 56.5 may be too high for the total — especially considering the layoff for these teams as well.
BYU went 4-3 to the under in its final seven games and will now have to play this game without Martin in the backfield.
Although player props were unavailable as of writing, I'd also keep an eye on both King and Bachmeier for anytime touchdowns when that market releases.
Pick: Under 56.5 (Play to 55.5)
