Georgia Tech Eyes Redemption and a 10-Win Season in the Pop-Tarts Bowl
After an 8-0 start that had fans dreaming of the ACC Championship and a possible College Football Playoff berth, Georgia Tech’s 2025 campaign took an unexpected turn. The Jackets stumbled down the stretch, missing out on both postseason milestones. But now, with one game left, they’ve got a shot at something that still matters: a statement win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl-and a chance to finish the season with 10 victories.
Yes, it’s not the College Football Playoff. But don’t let the sugary branding fool you-the Pop-Tarts Bowl has become one of the more entertaining matchups of bowl season.
And for Georgia Tech, this game is about more than just a quirky trophy or a sweet snack. It’s about closing the year on a high note, proving the program’s growth is real, and giving the seniors-and the fans-a finish worth celebrating.
Chris Weinke Steps Into the Spotlight
With offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner heading to Florida and taking much of the staff with him, head coach Brent Key made a pivotal decision: quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Chris Weinke will call plays in the bowl game. It’s a move that makes a lot of sense.
Weinke knows quarterback Haynes King better than anyone else on the staff. Their relationship has been built on trust, preparation, and a shared understanding of what it takes to run this offense.
King himself has credited Weinke for much of his development, saying, *“Everything that I’ve done and progressed on has been because of Coach Weinke.” * That’s not just a compliment-it’s a full endorsement from a quarterback who’s been the face of this team all season.
Weinke’s familiarity with King could be the X-factor against a talented BYU squad. He’s seen what works, what doesn’t, and how to put King in a position to succeed.
And now, in what could be King’s final game in a Yellow Jackets uniform, Weinke has the opportunity to script a fitting send-off. If he delivers, it might even spark conversations about his long-term future with the program.
That’s a bridge to cross later-but for now, all eyes are on how he handles this moment.
Haynes King’s Final Act
This is it for Haynes King. One last game, one last chance to show just how far he’s come and how much he’s meant to Georgia Tech. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned about King, it’s that he plays with heart, grit, and a whole lot of pride in that “GT” on his helmet.
King’s leadership has been a stabilizing force all season, and he’s done it with a level of loyalty that’s increasingly rare in today’s college football landscape. He could’ve jumped ship.
He didn’t. Instead, he stayed, competed, and led the Jackets to the brink of a 10-win season.
Now, he’s got one more opportunity to leave his mark. Expect him to play loose, have fun, and-if Weinke dials up the right looks-put up some numbers that remind people why his name once floated in the Heisman conversation.
A Bowl Game That Promises Fireworks
Forget the stakes for a second-this game is going to be fun. The Pop-Tarts Bowl has built a reputation for being one of the more lighthearted, fan-friendly events on the calendar, and this year’s matchup delivers two teams with something to prove.
Georgia Tech is chasing that elusive 10th win, which would be a major milestone for a program that’s been rebuilding its identity under Brent Key. BYU, on the other hand, is playing with a chip on its shoulder, aiming to show the College Football Playoff committee that it was overlooked.
Both teams have talent. Both have motivation.
And both will be looking to make a statement.
Can the Jackets Weather the Chaos?
Let’s be honest-there’s been a lot of noise around this program lately. The coaching departures, the uncertainty at quarterback moving forward, and the questions about how the team would respond have all been swirling. But here’s the thing: this group has shown resilience before.
Yes, the offensive staff has been gutted. Yes, the future of the quarterback room is unclear.
But this game isn’t about next year. It’s about the seniors, the guys who’ve poured everything into this season, and the chance to walk off the field with a win.
That kind of motivation matters.
Georgia Tech hasn’t fared well historically against BYU-the Jackets trail the all-time series 3-1 and have lost the last two meetings by three possessions each. But this is a different team, with a different mindset. And with the right execution, they’ve got a real shot to flip the script.
The Big Question: Which Defense Shows Up?
If there’s one thing that could swing this game, it’s the Georgia Tech defense. And the biggest question heading into Orlando is simple: will we see the same unit that showed up against Georgia?
In that rivalry game, the Jackets’ defense looked like a completely different group. They held Georgia to just 260 total yards-the Bulldogs’ lowest output of the season-and limited Gunner Stockton to 70 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. That’s not just a good performance; that’s a statement.
But consistency has been the challenge. Georgia still managed 190 rushing yards, and now Georgia Tech faces a BYU offense that’s built to run.
The Cougars average 184.4 rushing yards per game, led by LJ Martin, who’s already racked up over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Add in freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who’s thrown for 2,708 yards and rushed for over 500 more, and this is a balanced, dangerous attack.
The Jackets will need to be disciplined up front, sound in their tackling, and sharp in their assignments. If they can slow down the run and make Bachmeier uncomfortable, they’ve got a shot. But if BYU gets rolling early, it could be a long afternoon.
One More Chance to Prove It Wasn’t a Fluke
A win in the Pop-Tarts Bowl wouldn’t just be a nice ending-it would be a validation of everything Georgia Tech has built this season. Ten wins.
A Top 25 finish. A bowl victory over a quality opponent.
That’s the kind of momentum that carries into the offseason and lays the groundwork for bigger things.
This team has been through a lot. But they’ve also shown flashes of what they can be when everything clicks. Now, they’ve got one more chance to put it all together.
So grab a Pop-Tart, settle in, and get ready. Because this one’s more than just a bowl game-it’s a shot at redemption, a celebration of a team that refused to quit, and maybe, just maybe, the start of something even bigger.