By Luke Fletcher | Atlanta, GA

The Pop-Tarts Bowl has a colorful history. Originally founded in 1990 and played in Miami until 2000, the game has cycled through a series of sponsors, including the Blockbuster Bowl, Carquest Bowl, MicronPC Bowl, and Champs Sports Bowl, before becoming the Camping World Bowl. In 2023, it was rebranded as the Pop-Tarts Bowl, instantly grabbing national attention with its fun, fan-friendly identity—while still delivering competitive, high-stakes football. Since 2014, the bowl has regularly matched ACC and Big 12 teams, making it a stage for some of the country’s top programs.

Georgia Tech brings a strong history in Orlando to the matchup. The Yellow Jackets are 2–0 in their previous Pop Tarts bowl appearances, and both games left a mark. In the 1997 Carquest Bowl, Tech edged West Virginia 35–30, showing grit and a knack for late-game execution. Seven years later, the 2004 Champs Sports Bowl saw the Jackets overwhelm Syracuse 51–14, combining explosive offense with suffocating defense. Those wins, paired with a 1991 Citrus Bowl victory over Nebraska in the Orlando area, cemented Georgia Tech’s undefeated bowl legacy in central Florida.

This year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl may not be part of the College Football Playoff, but it’s far from an afterthought. No. 22 Georgia Tech faces No. 12 BYU on December 27, and here are three storylines that could decide the outcome.

1. A Contrast in Quarterback Styles

At the center of this game is a fascinating quarterback contrast. Georgia Tech’s Haynes King is the engine that makes the Yellow Jackets go. He’s a true dual threat who can hurt defenses in multiple ways, whether that’s extending plays with his legs or breaking off chunk runs in the red zone. His physicality and toughness are central to Tech’s offensive identity, and when he’s in rhythm, the Jackets are hard to slow down.

On the other side, BYU’s Bear Bachmeier brings a more traditional approach, but don’t confuse that with limited. He’s efficient, poised, and capable of using his legs when needed. BYU’s offense thrives on timing and execution, and Bachmeier’s ability to make quick decisions will be tested against a Georgia Tech defense that likes to mix coverages and bring pressure in waves.

How each defense adjusts to these very different styles — and which quarterback can impose his will early — could set the tone for the entire afternoon.

2. BYU’s Defense vs. Georgia Tech’s Balance Offense

BYU didn’t get to this point by accident. The Cougars’ defense has been one of the more reliable units in the country, particularly when the field shortens. They’re disciplined, physical, and difficult to score on inside the red zone. That strength will be tested immediately by a Georgia Tech offense that prides itself on balance.

The Yellow Jackets don’t rely on one player or one concept. They run the ball well, spread the field when needed, and are comfortable grinding out long drives. The key question is whether BYU can disrupt that rhythm — especially on early downs. If the Cougars force Tech into long third downs, they can dictate tempo. If they can’t, Georgia Tech has shown it can keep defenses on the field and wear them down.

This clash of strengths may be the most important battle in the game.

3. Winning the Small Moments

When two teams are evenly matched, the game often comes down to the details. Turnovers, red-zone execution, and situational decisions could quietly determine the outcome.

BYU has been strong in high-leverage moments, particularly inside the 20-yard line. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, moves the ball efficiently between the 20s but has occasionally struggled to finish drives through the air in goal-to-go situations. Field goals versus touchdowns matter — especially in a bowl game where momentum swings can come fast.

Add in fourth-down decisions, ball security, and special teams execution, and you have the kind of game where one mistake or one perfectly timed play can flip everything.

This Pop-Tarts Bowl may not crown a CFP champion, but it offers something just as compelling: a chance for Georgia Tech to validate its progress and for BYU to prove it belongs among the nation’s top teams. And if these three factors play out the way they suggest, fans should be in for a tightly contested, entertaining finish and for the Pop Tarts bowl to effectively crown the “Pop-Tarts People’s Champion.

• Game date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
• Game time: 3:30 pm. ET
• Location: Orlando, Florida
• Venue: Camping World Stadium
• TV channel: ABC