Location: Camping World Stadium/Orlando, FL
Time/Channel: 12:30pm PT/3:30pm ET (ABC)
Spread: -4 (BYU)
Matchup History: 3-1 (BYU)
What’s At Stake for BYU
BYU just notched their second straight 11-win season,
which they hadn’t done since 2006-2007. Now, with a bowl game to play, they seek their first 12 win season since 2001. They haven’t won 23 games in a two-year stretch since 1984-1985.
BYU also hasn’t won a bowl game in back-to-back seasons since 2011-2012.
Yes, BYU did not make the College Football Playoff. However, finishing the season at 12-2 might garner their highest finish in the final AP poll since 1996.
Plus, this is the Big 12 against a ranked ACC opponent. This is a big chance for the Big 12 to make a statement on where they stand in the Power Four Conference pecking order.
What’s At Stake for Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets got up to No. 7 in late October this season. They finished the season 9-3 and currently sit at No. 24 in the AP poll. Georgia Tech is seeking their first double-digit win season since 2014. They have only won one bowl game since 2017. Head coach Brent Key is looking to put a stamp on his best season in Atlanta.
Quarterback Haynes King is something of a legend at GT. This will be his final game with the Yellow Jackets. And one last chance to make an impression for NFL scouts.
BYU Offense vs. Georgia Tech Defense
We need to pause one more time to appreciate what Bear Bachmeier has done this season. After joining Stanford last spring, he transferred to BYU, still a true freshman, and arrived on campus during the summer. Then, despite his disadvantages in experience with Aaron Roderick’s system and playbook, he won the starting job out of fall camp. Now, he finished fifth in the Big 12 in passing yards, sixth in completion percentage, leading all quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns, and helped BYU win 11 regular season games.
He faces Georgia Tech’s defense without his top two running backs, LJ Martin and Sione Moa, both out with injuries. Enoch Nawahine looks to be taking the most reps at running back. The Yellow Jackets rank 95th in rushing defense and 83rd in passing defense. The Cougars should be able to move the ball on them, regardless of who is at running back. It’s all about how well the offensive line plays.
This is the final showcase for receiver Chase Roberts and tight end Carsen Ryan. Bachmeier will rely on them to make plays down the field, along with speed threat Parker Kingston. This is a game where the passing game needs to come alive, similar to the showing against Iowa State (when Bachmeier completed 22 passes for 307 yards).
The Cougars will need to keep First Team All-ACC defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg at bay.
BYU Defense vs. Georgia Tech Offense
Jay Hill and company have their hands full with the ACC’s top quarterback, Haynes King. He is the ultimate dual threat. Imagine BYU playing against Taysom Hill. Only one quarterback in all the Power Four had more rushing yards and none had more rushing scores than King. He is Tech’s entire offense. He even ranked second in rushing yards in the ACC, regardless of position.
BYU has fared well this year in facing mobile quarterbacks. Games like Colorado, West Virginia, and Utah come to mind. In most of those games, the opponents have gotten some success early before Hill adjusts the defense and puts the clamps down. King is the best one of the bunch so he will likely get some early yards. But Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker are one of the best linebacker duos in the entire country. If any defense has the combination of playmakers with scheme to stop Haynes King, it’s BYU.
Prediction
Georgia Tech might have some early success with King, before Jay Hill and company can adjust. Once they do, it’s not hard to see this game flipping towards the Cougars, with Bear Bachmeier distributing the ball through the air to his veteran playmakers.
BYU 30, Georgia Tech, 24
