The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5, 5-3 ACC) take on the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6, 3-5 SEC) in the Birmingham Bowl on Friday, Dec. 27. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Birmingham Bowl pits two teams that should both be very motivated to win a bowl game.
The Commodores were one of the surprises of the season, with their biggest moment coming in a 40-35 upset of Alabama at home on Oct. 5.
On the other side, the Yellow Jackets had a massive 28-23 upset over Miami and also just missed knocking off Georgia in Athens in the final week of the regular season, losing 44-42 in overtime.
Georgia Tech enters as a -3 favorite with the over/under set at 50.
Let's take a look at my Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt predictions and college football picks for the Birmingham Bowl on Friday, Dec. 27.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs Vanderbilt Commodores Prediction, Picks
- Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt Pick: Vanderbilt +3
My Vanderbilt vs. Georgia Tech best bet is on the Commodores to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetMGM, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Odds, Line, Spread
| Georgia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -118 | 49.5 -105 / -115 | -142 |
| Vanderbilt Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -104 | 49.5 -105 / -115 | +118 |
- Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Spread: Georgia Tech -2.5 · Vanderbilt +2.5
- Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Over/Under: 49.5
- Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Moneyline: Georgia Tech ML -142 · Vanderbilt ML +118
Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Birmingham Bowl Betting Preview
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview: Optimism Moving Forward
Quarterback Haynes King has been phenomenal in the Yellow Jackets offense when he has been healthy.
King brings a dual-threat component to the attack as an accurate passer down the field and a very efficient runner who can use his legs to pick up key yards on the ground.
Head coach Brent Key has done a nice job with this team since taking over in 2022, and there's reason for GT fans to be optimistic moving forward.
Key's offensive line background has helped give balance to the Jackets offense, a unit that ranks inside the top 50 in both Pass Success Rate and Rush Success Rate.
Finding that balance will be important against Vanderbilt, as Clark Lea's defenses typically try to take away what the opponent does best.
On the other side of the ball, it has been a mixed bag for Georgia Tech.
The Ramblin' Wreck have been very strong against the run, ranking 12th in Line Yards for the year. The secondary, meanwhile, has been vulnerable, surrendering some big plays at key moments throughout the season.
Injuries to the back end have not helped things, and for the year, the unit ranks outside the top 80 in Pass Success Rate allowed.
Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Preview: Diego, Diego
Lea's plan of building the program the right way over time paid dividends in 2024.
That said, the addition of QB Diego Pavia cannot be overstated as a key reason why Vanderbilt started moving the needle in the wins and losses department.
On that note, it was announced last week that Pavia won his appeal and will return to Nashville in 2025.
Expectations for next season will be as big as they've been in some time for the Commodores, and this bowl game is an opportunity to add to the momentum that's already brewing.
The Commodores were still undermanned at times in SEC play on the defensive end, which has caused those metrics to look less than pretty.
Vandy sits outside the top 100 in Finishing Drives allowed, which is cause for concern against King's power rushing abilities near the goal line.
The good news is, just as Pavia and company created problems against the likes of Alabama and Missouri with some unique offensive concepts, they should be able to find a rhythm against this Yellow Jacket defense.
Like King, Pavia is dynamic with his legs and a load to bring down. He's also been accurate, and tight end Eli Stowers has been incredibly reliable all year.
I'd also expect Lea to have a wrinkle or two up his sleeve for this one, and with the nature of a bowl game, he'll likely be more aggressive than usual on fourth down.
Forcing a turnover or two would go a long way in helping Vanderbilt gain the edge in this matchup.
Vanderbilt vs Georgia Tech Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech match up statistically:
Georgia Tech Offense vs. Vanderbilt Defense
 | Offense |  Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 47 | 91 | |
| Line Yards | 94 | 63 | |
| Pass Success | 29 | 114 | |
| Havoc | 18 | 55 | |
| Finishing Drives | 43 | 102 | |
| Quality Drives | 39 | 78 | |
Vanderbilt Offense vs. Georgia Tech Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 90 | 45 | |
| Line Yards | 100 | 12 | |
| Pass Success | 56 | 83 | |
| Havoc | 36 | 63 | |
| Finishing Drives | 47 | 70 | |
| Quality Drives | 24 | 58 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 123 | 113 |
| PFF Coverage | 95 | 96 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 111 | 1 |
| Middle 8 | 36 | 100 |
| Seconds per Play | 26.8 (63) | 31.0 (132) |
| Rush Rate | 55% (47) | 61% (21) |
How to Bet My Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Pick
I have a feeling this game will prove to be one of the most entertaining in all of bowl season.
Two really impressive young coaches whose teams play hard should lay it all on the line to try to end the year victorious.
Georgia Tech is rightfully favored, but with Pavia back healthy and under center, I believe Vandy can find success offensively and keep this one nip-and-tuck throughout.
As a result, I think there's value on the underdog Commodores as long as you'll give me a field goal or more.
Trust in Vandy to make enough plays to give itself a chance to win it late and cover. Anchor Down.
Pick: Vanderbilt +3 or Better
Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Channel, Start Time, How to Watch, Location, Streaming
| Location: | Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL |
| Date: | Friday, Dec. 27 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN |
Georgia Tech takes on Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl on Friday, Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Betting Trends
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