The 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl features the No. 22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (ACC) against the No. 12 BYU Cougars (Big 12) in a high-stakes non-playoff matchup between two programs that exceeded expectations this season. Georgia Tech brings a 9-3 record, showcasing offensive firepower under quarterback Haynes King, while BYU enters at 11-2 after a strong Big 12 campaign led by a balanced attack. This game revives a series where BYU holds a 3-1 edge, promising an exciting clash of styles. Below is a detailed breakdown.
Venue Location
Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida. This outdoor venue, formerly known as the Citrus Bowl Stadium, seats over 60,000 and has hosted the bowl (under various names) since 1990.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT). The game will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on ESPN platforms.
Note: While the query references December 25, all official sources confirm December 27 as the date.
Weather Forecast
As an outdoor game, weather could favor passing attacks in mild conditions. Orlando’s forecast for December 27, 2025, indicates daytime highs around 75°F with lows near 59°F, partly cloudy skies, and a low chance (up to 3 rainy days in December averages) of precipitation. Winds around 6-7 mph with 55% humidity—comfortable for football, but monitor for any late-afternoon showers.
Injury Report
Both teams enter with key absences due to injuries and opt-outs, potentially shifting emphases to backups and depth.
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Quarterback Haynes King is expected to play despite minor nagging issues throughout the season. Defensive back Rodney Shelley and offensive lineman Weston Franklin are questionable with undisclosed injuries from late-season games. Running back Jamal Haynes dealt with a shoulder issue but is probable. No major opt-outs reported, but monitor the secondary for any last-minute changes.
- BYU Cougars: Running back LJ Martin, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, is out after shoulder surgery. Fellow running back Enoch Nawahine is also sidelined, thinning the backfield significantly. Linebacker Isaiah Glasker (undisclosed) and defensive end Logan Lutui are questionable. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff is probable despite minor ailments, but the RB losses force reliance on backups like Sione Moa.
Key Player Matchups
This game pits Georgia Tech’s explosive offense against BYU’s stingy defense, with matchups in the trenches and secondary likely deciding the outcome amid BYU’s RB injuries.
- GT QB Haynes King vs. BYU S Tanner Wall: King’s dual-threat ability (over 2,500 passing yards, 800 rushing) tests Wall, BYU’s interception leader, in a secondary ranked top-20 nationally.
- BYU QB Jake Retzlaff vs. GT LB Kyle Efford: Retzlaff’s efficiency (25 TDs, low INTs) faces Efford, GT’s tackle machine, who must contain scrambles without Martin in the backfield.
- GT RB Jamal Haynes vs. BYU DL Tyler Batty: Haynes’ speed (1,000+ yards) challenges Batty’s pass-rush prowess to stuff runs and force third downs.
- BYU WR Chase Roberts vs. GT CB Warren Burrell: Roberts’ big-play potential (top receiver) exploits Burrell in coverage mismatches.
Other notables: GT WR Malik Rutherford could torch BYU’s corners if King gets protection.
Recent Team Forms
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-3, 6-3 ACC): GT started 5-0 with wins over Colorado (27-20) and Gardner-Webb (59-12), but hit mid-season bumps with losses to Notre Dame (31-24) and Miami (28-23). They finished strong, winning 4 of their last 5, including Syracuse (35-28) and NC State (31-17), averaging 35 points in victories behind King’s playmaking.
- BYU Cougars (11-2, 8-1 Big 12): BYU dominated early with blowouts like Portland State (69-0) and Stanford (27-3), securing the Big 12 title share. Losses came to Kansas (17-13) and Arizona State (28-23), but they won 8 straight conference games, including Utah (22-21). Defense allowed under 20 points in wins.
Conference vs Conference
ACC vs. Big 12. The Big 12 dominated head-to-head in 2025 (6-1 record against ACC), highlighting depth and athleticism, while the ACC boasts higher-ceiling programs like Clemson and Miami. Historically, Big 12 holds a 47-41 edge all-time, with stronger recent non-conference showings.
Series History
BYU leads the all-time series 3-1 since 2002. The Cougars won the last three meetings: 41-17 (2012), 38-20 (2013), and an upcoming rematch. Georgia Tech’s lone win was 28-27 in 2003. Games average high scoring, with BYU’s largest margin at +24.
Betting Trends
- Georgia Tech: 7-5 ATS overall; 5-1 ATS as underdogs; 8-4 O/U, trending over in high-total games. Strong in bowls (11-11 ATS all-time).
- BYU: 8-5 ATS; 6-1 ATS as favorites of 3+; 7-6 O/U, favoring unders against ACC foes.
- Game-Specific: Public on GT +4.5, sharps on BYU; overs hit in 4 of BYU’s last 5 neutrals; Big 12 favorites 5-2 ATS vs. ACC in bowls.
Historical Betting Results
The Pop-Tarts Bowl (formerly Cheez-It, Camping World, Russell Athletic) has seen favorites go 18-14 ATS since 1990, with overs hitting in 17 of 32 games. Largest margin: +42 (Illinois 63-21 over Virginia, 1999). Recent: 2024 Miami covered as -3.5 vs. Iowa State (win 41-17); 2023 Kansas State covered -2.5 vs. NC State (28-19). Underdogs are 8-18 ATS since 2000, but ACC teams hold a 5-3 ATS edge in the series.
Game Odds
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 56.5
BYU Cougars – 4.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, December 25, 2025
