This bowl matchup promises to be compelling, featuring a clash between the ACC and SEC that is sure to attract significant television viewership. The school’s first meeting was on November 19, 1892. The winner of the contest is awarded the cowbell trophy, a tradition dating back to 1924, and it is still awarded to the winner of the contest. Georgia Tech leads the series, 20–15–3. 

Both teams have demonstrated strong ball security throughout the season, with Vanderbilt recording only seven turnovers and Georgia Tech slightly higher at eight. Heading into the bowl game, Georgia Tech is ranked 19th in offensive power rankings, averaging 29.1 points per game, while their defense ranks 46th nationally, conceding 24.8 points per game. In their last outing against Georgia, they allowed 44 points but limited the Bulldogs to 277 total yards, including 136 passing, while also forcing an interception. Conversely, Vanderbilt’s offense is ranked 32nd, averaging 26.7 points per game, and their defense has allowed 23.1 points per game, placing them 34th in the nation. They have struggled against the pass, yielding 238.3 yards per game and a passer rating of 98.7, with opponents completing 66.9% of their passes.

Quarterbacks Haynes King of Georgia Tech and Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt have become fan favorites, each guiding their teams to bowl eligibility despite challenging schedules. Georgia Tech faced a particularly tough slate, with three of their last five games against top-12 opponents, nearly achieving significant upsets during rivalry weekend. After notable victories against No. 4 Miami and NC State, they concluded the season with a narrow loss to No. 7 Georgia in a dramatic eight-overtime game. Vanderbilt, after a strong start of 5-2 and a historic win over then-No. 1 Alabama, which marked their first victory in the series in four decades, faltered towards the end of the season, losing their last three games.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia has accumulated 2,133 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, while also leading the team in rushing with 716 yards and 4 touchdowns. In contrast, Georgia Tech’s quarterback Haynes King has recorded 1,910 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and just 1 interception, boasting an impressive completion rate of 72.5%, the highest in the ACC. He has also contributed significantly on the ground with 578 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

Among the notable players for Georgia Tech, Jamal Haynes has rushed for 808 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry, while Malik Rutherford leads the team with 59 receptions for 670 yards. For Vanderbilt, Sedrick Alexander has rushed for 554 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 3 yards per carry, and Junior Sherrill has contributed with 401 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The critical question for this matchup is whether the Commodores can contain Georgia Tech’s potent rushing attack, which has averaged 186.8 yards per game at 4.9 yards per carry this season. I anticipate that Georgia Tech will secure a victory over Vanderbilt with a score of 24-17.