The College Football Playoff door may have slammed shut on BYU, but the Cougars aren’t sulking - they’re suiting up with something to prove. After two lopsided losses to Texas Tech derailed their postseason hopes, No.
12 BYU (11-2) is heading to Orlando for a showdown with No. 22 Georgia Tech (9-3) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl this Saturday.
And make no mistake - this one still matters.
Sure, a Playoff berth would’ve been sweeter. BYU finished just outside the final four, edged out by Notre Dame and Miami, who snagged the No. 10 spot and the last CFP ticket. But that snub has only added fuel to the fire inside the Cougars’ locker room.
“I feel like if we can get a win right here, we can show the committee what the Big 12 is really about,” said linebacker Isaiah Glasker. “We feel like we should have been in the playoffs.
That’s enough of a driving factor for us. We’re going to be ready to show out in the bowl game.”
That playoff case took a major hit thanks to BYU’s two meetings with Texas Tech - both blowout losses, including a 27-point defeat in the Big 12 title game. The committee didn’t need much more convincing.
Still, the Cougars are turning the page, and freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier is leading the charge. Bachmeier, who’s been a bright spot all season, is back from the ankle injury he suffered early in the conference championship game and cleared to play Saturday. He’s thrown 14 touchdowns, rushed for 11 more, and kept turnovers to a minimum with just six picks on the year.
“Obviously it was a tough loss, but we understand what's at stake with the bowl game, and getting momentum going into next season as well,” Bachmeier said. “We have that flip-the-page mentality and are really focused on this next game.”
But BYU won’t be at full strength. The offense will be without its workhorse, LJ Martin, who’s sidelined after undergoing surgery.
The junior running back piled up 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Head coach Kalani Sitake confirmed Martin will miss the game, though he’ll be on hand to support his teammates.
“He’s recovering at home right now, but he’ll be back to watch these guys and cheer on his brothers on Saturday,” Sitake said. Martin has yet to announce whether he’ll enter the NFL Draft.
Even without Martin, BYU has a shot at something significant - its first 12-win season since 2001. Standing in the way is a Georgia Tech team that knows a thing or two about missed opportunities.
The Yellow Jackets opened the year on fire, ripping off eight straight wins and climbing to No. 8 in the rankings. But a 1-3 finish, capped by a Nov. 1 loss to NC State, knocked them out of the playoff conversation. Head coach Brent Key didn’t sugarcoat the disappointment.
“I’m looking at myself saying we shouldn’t have stubbed our toe at the end of the season,” Key said. “We should be in there.
And if you really feel that way, then we need to get our asses together and play our butts off and play a very competitive game versus a good football team. Because you’re dang right, BYU should’ve been in those (first-round) games.”
Georgia Tech’s offense has been powered all season by quarterback Haynes King, the ACC Player of the Year and a legitimate dual-threat nightmare. King completed 71.7% of his passes for 2,697 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also racking up 922 rushing yards and 15 scores on the ground. His Heisman campaign landed him 10th in the voting - the Yellow Jackets’ first top-10 finisher since Calvin Johnson in 2006.
King’s impact on the program is etched in the record books. He leaves Georgia Tech as the school’s all-time leader in completion percentage (68.1%) and touchdowns responsible for (89). He’s second in total offense (9,899 yards) and completions (652), third in passing touchdowns (53), and fourth in passing yards (7,653).
And he’s not done yet.
“We’ve put time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears all into this season, and it’s not over yet,” King said. “And I’ve said it before, I’m not one to jump ship and quit. I wanna ride it out and finish it with my brothers.”
Saturday’s game won’t decide a national title, but it’s not just another bowl either. For BYU, it’s a chance to end the season with a statement - and a milestone. For Georgia Tech, it’s about redemption and sending a program cornerstone out on a high note.
The two programs have some history, too. BYU leads the all-time series 3-1, including a 38-20 win the last time they met in Provo back in 2013.
This one’s got plenty of storylines, high-level talent, and a whole lot of pride on the line. Playoff or not, expect both teams to come out swinging.