Pop-Tarts Bowl Preview: BYU Looks to Cap Season with Statement Win, Georgia Tech Eyes Milestone
For the second straight year, BYU is on the outside looking in when it comes to the College Football Playoff. And while that sting doesn’t go away easily, the Cougars aren’t heading into bowl season with their heads down. In fact, they’ve got a shot at something that hasn’t happened in Provo in over two decades: a 12-win season.
BYU enters Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl ranked No. 12, boasting an 11-2 record and an 8-1 mark in Big 12 play. That win total puts them in elite company-only five programs have won more games over the past two seasons: Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Georgia.
All of those teams punched their tickets to the playoff. BYU didn’t.
But don’t mistake this bowl game for a consolation prize. Inside that locker room, the Cougars are treating the matchup against No. 22 Georgia Tech (9-3, 6-2 ACC) as a serious opportunity-not just to add another win to the record books, but to prove they belonged in the national conversation all along.
“Our guys were really excited about it,” said head coach Kalani Sitake. “This isn’t a consolation prize. When we went into the season, not a lot of people thought we would win even 11 games.”
That underdog mentality has fueled BYU all season long, and linebacker Isaiah Glasker made it clear the team still has something to prove.
“I feel like we didn’t get the opportunity we wanted to play in the playoffs,” Glasker said. “Getting this 12th win hopefully can show what our team really can do.”
A win would mark BYU’s first 12-win season since 2001-a significant milestone for a program that’s been knocking on the door of national prominence but hasn’t quite broken through. And while the playoff picture didn’t break their way, finishing the year with a statement win over a ranked opponent would send a strong message heading into 2026.
On the other sideline, Georgia Tech isn’t lacking motivation either. The Yellow Jackets are chasing their 10th 10-win season in program history and their first since 2014. They had a shot at the ACC Championship Game earlier in the year, but losses to NC State and Pitt closed that door.
Still, head coach Brent Key sees Saturday’s game as a pivotal moment for the trajectory of his program.
“That 10-game threshold is big, just from an external perception,” Key said. “From going out on the road [recruiting] in January to show we’ve taken great steps over the last three years in the program. This is one of those glass ceilings that you’re always looking to get towards.”
Under Key’s leadership since 2022, Georgia Tech has quietly built a reputation for pulling off upsets. A win over BYU would be their eighth victory over a ranked opponent in that span-an impressive stat that speaks to the team’s ability to rise to the occasion.
But Key isn’t getting caught up in the numbers.
“We’re not an outcome-based organization,” he said. “We’re about being in the moment, being where your feet are, playing the play that you have.
When that play’s over, it’s done. The same thing with the game.
It’s important. It’s big for the program.
But nine wins is big, too.”
Both teams have plenty to play for, and both see this bowl game as a building block-not just a season finale. For BYU, it’s a chance to validate a remarkable run and lay the groundwork for a potential playoff push next year. For Georgia Tech, it’s about proving they’ve turned a corner and can consistently compete with the nation’s best.
“No matter what, this is going to help us next year,” Sitake said. “The focus on the game and having it be such a difficult opponent will really help us. It’s made our team better already, and I believe it will springboard us into 2026.”
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Camping World Stadium.
Two programs with something to prove. One last chance to make a statement this season.