Georgia Tech vs BYU Pop-Tarts Bowl Picks & Odds

Georgia Tech vs BYU Pop-Tarts Bowl Betting Preview, Picks & Odds

The Pop-Tarts Bowl features the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets taking on the BYU Cougars in a matchup between two teams that flirted with College Football Playoff contention before fading late in the season.

Georgia Tech’s efficient offense led by Haynes King faces a stout BYU defense that showed cracks against Texas Tech, with key injuries and opt-outs shaping the betting angles for this bowl clash.

Georgia Tech vs BYU Pop-Tarts Bowl Overview

Georgia Tech vs BYU Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today — Pop-Tarts Bowl

Our expert Pop-Tarts Bowl predictions see Haynes King and Georgia Tech keeping Saturday’s matchup with BYU much tighter than the spread indicates.

One of the premier bowl games of the season takes center stage as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets square off with the BYU Cougars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Both teams spent time on the edge of College Football Playoff contention before seeing those hopes fade, and each arrives off a loss. Georgia Tech dropped a tight rivalry game to Georgia, while BYU was routed by Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship.

The matchup is broken down in detailed Georgia Tech vs. BYU predictions and college football picks for Saturday, December 27.

Who Will Win the Pop-Tarts Bowl?

The analysis favors the points much more than the moneyline in this spot for a variety of reasons, but if forced to choose, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are preferred because their offense is more trusted.

Georgia Tech vs BYU Best Bet

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets +3.5 (-105)

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets offense has been the strength of the team all year, which is not exactly a surprise with quarterback Haynes King leading the way.

The Yellowjackets finished the season ranking tied for 15th in EPA per play and tied for 10th in success rate at 47.4%. The BYU Cougars defense was an elite group all season, but as the Texas Tech blowout proved, it can be exploited.

The Cougars have not really seen an offense this good outside of Texas Tech, and a rushing defense that has faltered down the stretch is not ideal against the rushing attack King can provide.

On the other side, things start to separate a little more. This Georgia Tech defense has been plain bad all season; however, this BYU unit will enter this matchup with key losses.

There was so much thrown on the shoulders of running back LJ Martin this season, who led the Cougs in virtually every offensive usage stat that can be found.

Not only did a surgery after the Big 12 Championship game end his season, but it also ended the season of his backup, Sione Moa, who opted for it. That creates genuine concern in a game where BYU will need to score to keep pace.

So there is Tech's efficient, stay-on-schedule offense and BYU's offense losing its most consistent offensive player. Even with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner departing for Florida, this Georgia Tech offense is more trusted, and taking the points is the preferred approach.

Georgia Tech vs BYU Same-Game Parlay

Even though Georgia Tech is backed to cover, losing offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner for this game is a reasonably big deal. The players on this team will be well-versed in running his offense, but it raises the question of whether it makes them a tick less sharp, leading to drives stalling.

On the other side, as mentioned, BYU being without LJ Martin suggests they may struggle to regularly move the chains. Expectations are for this to be a little sloppy at times.

Georgia Tech vs BYU SGP Legs

Georgia Tech +3.5
Under 55.5

Georgia Tech vs BYU Game Predictions

Spread Prediction

Georgia Tech is the pick to cover. It is the best bet, and this number is viewed as one that should be closer to a field goal.

Over/Under Prediction

The lean is to the Under with both teams replacing key offensive players, but the opinion is largely in line with the market number.

Georgia Tech vs BYU Odds

The betting market lists the following main numbers for the Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup between Georgia Tech and BYU:

Spread: Georgia Tech +4.5 (-110) | BYU -4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Georgia Tech +160 | BYU -190
Over/Under: Over 56.5 (-110) | Under 56.5 (-110)

Georgia Tech vs BYU Trend to Know

Georgia Tech has hit the first-quarter game total Under in 9 of its last 13 games, generating +4.93 units and a 31% return on investment. More college football betting trends are available for Georgia Tech vs BYU.