December 26, 2025

In This Issue 

Georgia Tech Prepares for Pop-Tarts Bowl Amid Turbulence and Turnover

By Don Stone, GeorgiaTechExpress.com, FootballAtlanta.com.

>>As Georgia Tech gears up for the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the program faces a season-ending chapter colored by coaching changes and a steady trickle of players entering the transfer portal. The most prominent development: offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner is taking the OC reins at Florida, leaving Tech to chart an offense in transition as it heads toward postseason play. Also leaving are QBs Coach AJ Erdely, RBs Coach Norval McKenzie, and WRs Coach Trent McKnight.

>>Head coach Brent Key has framed the moment as a test of resilience and leadership from within. “We’re leaning on the guys who’ve been in the trenches with us all year,” Key said after a recent practice. “Tough decisions are part of the game, but our standard doesn’t waver. We’ll adjust, and we’ll compete.”

>>Faulkner’s departure adds a layer of complexity to Tech’s game plan. The offense will be run by a combination of internal coordinators and veteran assistants while coaches navigate installing or refining schemes in a bowl-setting timeframe.

>>Among the transfer portal departures are key contributors across the lineup, including backup quarterback Aaron Philo, center Tana Alo-Tupuola, and offensive lineman Peyton Joseph, whose exits leave questions about continuity and experience as Tech shifts toward the next chapter.

>>The transfer wave isn’t unique to Tech, but the Jackets are determined to channel it into a constructive arc. Recruiting and development staff are intensifying efforts to identify players who can fit Tech’s culture and systems, while current assistants focus on instilling discipline, technique, and leadership in bowl week and beyond.

>>Fans and alumni will watch closely as Tech recalibrates with a smaller veteran core. In the meantime, the locker room remains focused on finishing strong in the season’s final chapters and laying the groundwork for a more cohesive, competitive 2026 program. Whether the Jackets can transform the churn into momentum will unfold in the weeks ahead, but the resolve on campus remains evident: the quest for a stable, championship-caliber identity continues.

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Georgia Tech's HC Brent Key's Press Conference

Talking About Preparations For Pop-Tarts Bowl Game

>>“We’re not chasing perfection, we’re chasing consistency. This group has shown resilience all year, and now it’s about translating that into four quarters on a national stage.”

>>On the opponent and the challenge ahead, Key underscored BYU’s discipline and balance. “They’re well-coached, they execute with precision, and they’ve got the kind of players who force you to stay sharp every snap,” he noted. “That’s the kind of test that pushes our program forward.”

>>Key also touched on the quarterback situation, praising Haynes King’s calm leadership while acknowledging the need for growth across the board. “Haynes has grown a lot in handling pressure and managing a game clock,” Key said, “but every great bowl game is won at the line of scrimmage and in how offenses and defenses handle adjustments mid-game.”

>>When asked about roster changes and the transfer portal, Key offered a candid but hopeful outlook. “Roster turnover is part of the modern game, but the core of this program remains committed to building something sustainable,” he said. “We’ll lean on the depth we’ve developed, trust the process, and compete with everything we have.”

>>As Key concluded, he left no doubt about the goal: “We’re preparing to win in all three phases—offense, defense, and special teams—and to show the nation what Georgia Tech football stands for.”

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What Do The Advanced Analytics Say About Georgia Tech's Matchup Against BYU In The Pop-Tarts Bowl?

>>Georgia Tech will be in action for one final time on Saturday when it plays against BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The Yellow Jackets started off the season 8-0, but have lost three of their final four games. They are looking to finish strong and capture a 10-win season. BYU was just on the outside of the College Football Playoff after another strong season under head coach Kitani Sitake, who signed a contract extension with the Cougars. Their freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, was a catalyst in another strong season and an 11-2 record. Let’s take a look at 

>>According to ESPN’s FPI, Georgia Tech is given just a 34.3% chance of winning on Saturday vs BYU. BYU is given a 65.7% chance to win this upcoming weekend. The Yellow Jackets are seen as an underdog on the neutral field in one of the best non-College Football Playoff bowl games. 

>>Georgia Tech has a chance to finish in the top 25 to finish off the 2025 campaign with a win. It would also clinch its first 10-win season since 2014. It would also complete the rebuild for head coach Brent Key, who inherited the program permanently in 2023. It would mark three seasons under coach Key, who took the program from 5-7 into a winning program in a short span of time. Coach Key talked about the opportunity that awaits the Yellow Jackets on Saturday. 

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Basketball to Host

Double-Header on Dec. 28

>>Fans will be treated to a fun-filled day of Tech basketball when the men’s and women’s teams return from the holiday break to play a double-header on Dec. 28 in McCamish Pavilion. Women’s hoops opens the action at noon versus Wofford before men’s basketball takes on Florida A&M at approximately 2:30 p.m. Below is information regarding ticketing and parking for patrons.

>>Women’s basketball will close out its non-conference slate with a marquee game on the ACC Network against Wofford. The Jackets, guided by first-year head coach Karen Blair, look to end out-of-conference play on a win before turning the page fully to Atlantic Coast Conference play.

>>Men’s basketball also wraps up non-conference play on Dec. 28 against Florida A&M, looking to open ACC action off a win.

>>Tics remain on sale for both men’s and women’s basketball seasons in McCamish Pavilion. Fans won’t want to miss the action.

Georgia Tech Women's Hoops Hosts Wofford Sunday

>>Georgia Tech women's basketball (4-9, 0-2 ACC) hosts Wofford (5-7, 0-0 SoCon) on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 12 p.m. in McCamish Pavilion, with the ACC Network airing the non-conference clash live.

>>Jackets Eye Bounce-Back Win - Head coach Karen Blair stresses defensive intensity as the Yellow Jackets seek to snap a skid following recent ACC losses, leaning on sophomore guard Talayah Walker's scoring punch from the perimeter. Freshman Catherine Alben impressed in her first start as a Yellow Jacket Thursday, providing timely rebounds and hustle plays that Blair called "a spark we needed." The home crowd could fuel a turnaround against a Terrier squad still finding its footing.

>>Wofford's Road Challenge - The Terriers bring balanced attack but struggle on the glass, giving Tech's frontcourt a chance to dominate inside. Wofford coach Freeda Hardy rotates freely to match up, testing Blair's lineup tweaks amid the Jackets' uneven start. Wofford is coming off a 92-42 victory over King University on Friday.

>>Georgia Tech athletics, and its iconic mascot Buzz, has launched a new and exciting ticket offer for a limited time.

>>In celebration of the holiday season, Buzz is gifting all fans $10 tickets until Dec. 27.

>>Women’s basketball tips off its nine-game ACC home slate on Thursday, 1/1 vs Notre Dame to officially open the New Year. Highlighting the schedule are themed games including Military Appreciation 1/11 vs Clemson, We Back Pat 1/22 vs UNC, National Girls and Women in Sports Day 2/1 vs Boston College, & Play for Kay Pink Game 2/8 vs Stanford. The conference schedule is capped off by Senior Day 3/1 vs Miami. Johnathan Rinny is the halftime act on1/22.

Yellow Jackets Prep for

Pop-Tarts Showdown 

Pop-Tarts Bowl

#23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

(9-3, 6-2 ACC)

vs #12 BYU (11-2, 8-1 Big 12)

Date: Saturday, December 27

Site: Camping World Stadium,

Orlando, Florida

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ABC

• Play-by-Play: Mark Jones

• Analyst: Roddy Jones

• Sideline Reporter: Quint Kessenich

Radio: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan

Satellite: SiriusXM 84



• Play-by-Play: Andy Demetra

• Analyst: Andrew Gardner

• Sideline Reporter: Chris Mooneyham

Mobile Apps: ESPN, GT Yellow Jackets,

 680 The Fan, WSB Radio, 

SiriusXM, TuneIn

Online: RamblinWreck.com, 

680TheFan.com, WatchESPN.com

The ACC Weekly Release: Click Here

Georgia Tech Game Notes: Click Here

BYU Game Notes: Click Here

Georgia Tech Preview: Click Here

BYU Preview - Click Here

GA Tech Express Preview: Click Here

Football Atlanta: Click Here

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Official Georgia Tech Pregame Tailgate

Join Other Yellow Jacket Fans at the Pop-Tarts Bowl's Georgia Tech Team Hotel Fan Headquarters

Friday, December 26

Starting at 8:00 p.m.

Headquarters Lounge Bar

Rosen Shingle Creek,

9939 Universal Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32819

Special Appearances by GT Pep Band,

Cheer & Buzz!

Click Here For More Information

Coming College Football Playoffs and Bowl Games

ACC Football Schedule & Results

ACC Football Standings - Click Here

All Times Eastern

Friday, December 19

Gasparilla Bowl

NC State Wolfpack 31,

Memphis Tigers 7

Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL

Saturday, December 20

College Football Playoffs -

FIrst Round

#19 Miami Hurricanes 10

@ #7 Texas A&M Aggies 3
Kyle Field, College Station, Texas

Tuesday, December 23

2025 Bush's Boca Raton

Bowl of Beans

Toledo Rockets 22

vs Louisville Cardinals 27

Flagler Credit Union Stadium.

Boca Raton, FL

Wednesday, December 24

2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl 

California Golden Bears 31

vs Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors 35

Aloha Stadium, Manoa, Hawai'i

Saturday, December 27

Go Bowling Military Bowl 

Pitt Panthers

vs East Carolina Pirates

Annapolis, MD, 11:00 a,m. (ESPN)

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

Penn State Nittany Lions

vs Clemson Tigers

Bronx, NY, 12:00 p.m. (ABC)

Pop-Tarts Bowl

#22 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs #12 BYU Cougars

Orlando, FL,3:30 p.m. (ABC)

81st TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Virginia Cavaliers

vs Missouri Tigers

Jacksonville, FL (7:30 p.m. (ABC)

Wednesday, December 31

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl 

Duke Blue Devils

vs Arizona State Sun Devils

El Paso, Texas, 2:00 p.m. (CBS)

Friday, January 2

Duke's Mayo Bowl 

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

vs Mississippi State Bulldogs

Charlotte, NC, 8:00 p.m. (ESPN)

46th Annual Trust & Will

Holiday Bowl

#17 Arizona Wildcats

vs SMU Mustangs

San Diego, CA, 8:00 p.m. (FOX)