Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Birmingham Bowl Prediction | College Football Best Bets

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets nearly pulled off the unthinkable in their last regular season game. Georgia Tech was going shot-for-shot with the Georgia Bulldogs before eventually coming up short in the eighth overtime. While it wasn’t the outcome the Yellow Jackets were hoping for, it was indicative of their season as a whole. Georgia Tech can hang with the best of them. They’ll need a similar effort if they hope to get past another SEC foe in this year’s Birmingham Bowl. Granted, the Vanderbilt Commodores don’t cast the same shadow as some of their conference counterparts. Still, they had a wildly exceptional campaign (for Vandy) that included a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide while nearly pulling off upsets over the Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers later in the season. Let’s see if they can maintain that reputation in the Birmingham Bowl.

Where to Watch Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Birmingham Bowl

• Location: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, AL) | Ga. Tech-Vandy Matchup Page
• Time: Friday, December 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET | Where to Watch: ESPN
• Spread: Georgia Tech -2.5 | Moneyline: Georgia Tech -140 | Total: 50.5

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Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Birmingham Bowl Best Bet ATS: Georgia Tech -2.5

The Commodores are no strangers to being underdogs. Vandy hasn’t been favored since a Week 8 contest versus Ball State and was betting chalk just three times this season. Still, the current price doesn’t reflect their disadvantage versus Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are better on both sides of the ball. The ACC school averaged over 427 yards of total offense this season, falling just short of 30 points per game. Vanderbilt doesn’t have the defense to offset that superiority. The Commodores gave up 375.0 yards per game, albeit while taking on some of the top teams in the country. Similarly, Vanderbilt is operating at a deficit on the offensive side of the ball. Georgia Tech contained some truly dynamic offenses this season, leaving little doubt they can handle Vandy. The Yellow Jackets are the right side to be on at such a short number.

Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Birmingham Bowl Best Bet Total: Under 51.5

Assuredly, Haynes King can march the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on a few scoring drives, but it’s unlikely to amount to a high-scoring game. Prior to their eight overtime regular-season finale, the Yellow Jackets were operating at a less efficient clip. They were running fewer plays per game and had a harder time scoring. While Vanderbilt isn’t the most imposing defense, it will be able to limit the chunk plays and force Georgia Tech into taking what’s available. Likewise, we’re not anticipating a surge of offensive action from the Commodores. Their 319.4 yards per game was among the 12 worst in college football. That limited ceiling is also reflected in their scoring metrics. The Commodores eclipsed 17 points just once over the past four games and have gone over the total just once over the previous seven contests. Bet on that trend, holding steady, with this one staying below 50.5.

 

Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Birmingham Bowl Best Player Props

Jamal Haynes Any Time Touchdown Scorer -170

While Georgia Tech features a dynamic offense, their scoring relies almost exclusively on two players — King and Jamal Haynes. Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King threw for 11 touchdowns while adding 11 more via the rush. Haynes came up just short of King’s tally, crossing the plane nine times this season. Still, there are a few factors supporting that the running back is worth the investment in the Any Time Touchdown Scorer market. First, Haynes was the bell cow out of the backfield. He led the team with 152 carries and 808 rushing yards, cementing his place as the top option in the rushing attack. Secondly, Haynes also gets incorporated into the passing game, recording 134 yards and two touchdowns on 23 catches this season. Finally, we view the junior as a natural progression candidate in the Birmingham Bowl. After recording eight touchdowns through his first eight games of the season, Haynes has just one over his last four while maintaining a similar workload. As such, we’re anticipating a late-season boost in scoring, adding to his value as an Any Time Touchdown Scorer against the Commodores.

Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Birmingham Bowl Player Opt-Outs

Vanderbilt: Evan Herrmann, EDGE (transfer portal); Callahan Blair, Edge (transfer portal); Tyler Fortenberry, TE (transfer portal); Ezra McAllister, WR (transfer portal); Alvin Williamson Jr., CB, Vanderbilt (transfer portal); Darren Agu, EDGE (transfer portal); Gunnar Hansen, OT (transfer portal); Steven Sannieniola, S (transfer portal); Micah Bell, ATH (transfer portal); BJ Diakite, EDGE (transfer portal); Nate Johnson, QB ((transfer portal))

Georgia Tech: Romello Height, EDGE (transfer portal); Uche Iloh, DL (transfer portal); Jordan Brown, OT (transfer portal); Evan Dickens, RB (transfer portal); Taye Seymore, S (transfer portal); Eric Singleton Jr., WR (transfer portal); Horace Lockett, DL (transfer portal); Corey Robinson II, OT (transfer portal); Leo Blackburn, TE (transfer portal); Zach Pyron, QB (transfer portal); Christian Burkhalter, EDGE (transfer portal); Christian Leary, WR (transfer portal)

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