Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Odds & Picks: Yellow Jackets To Swarm Commodores

Bowl season keeps rolling on Friday as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-5) face the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6) in the Birmingham Bowl. Georgia Tech is a slight 2.5-point favorite at FanDuel for the Birmingham Bowl with the total settling in at 51.5 points.

This game reignites an old rivalry as these former conference foes will renew hostilities for the first time since 2016. Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 20-15-3.

Can the Yellow Jackets extend that record with a win in Birmingham? Or will Diego Pavia lead the Commodores to another victory in a breakthrough season for the program? Let’s dive into the matchup and find out.

Birmingham Bowl - Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Odds

Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt, Dec. 27, 3:30 pm ET

Odds as of December 23 at FanDuel

Birmingham Bowl - Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt Picks

Georgia Tech OVER 27.5 Points (-106) at FanDuel

The last time we saw Georgia Tech, they took Georgia to eight overtimes in an absolute thriller. Haynes King was on point in that game, throwing for over 300 yards, rushing for over 100 yards, and accounting for five total touchdowns against one of the best defenses in the country. King has had an impressive season for the Yellow Jackets, and he’ll have an opportunity to continue that success in this matchup.

Vanderbilt struggled to defend the pass this season, ranking 124th in EPA/play and 125th in success rate. Coverage busts hurt this defense all year, and it won’t help that the Commodores could be without safety De’Rickey Wright, their highest-graded defender on PFF, who is tracking as a potential opt-out for the NFL Draft. The Yellow Jackets will be without leading receiver Eric Singleton Jr., but slot receiver Malik Rutherford is a player to watch.

Star quarterback Diego Pavia will lead the Commodores in this game after posting 23 total touchdowns in his first season at Vanderbilt. The former New Mexico State quarterback is a dual-threat phenom who can stress the Georgia Tech defense in various ways. 

The Yellow Jackets could be without multiple players on defense here. Edge rusher Romello Height, who led the team with 30 pressures, has transferred to Texas Tech. Cornerbacks Rodney Shelley and Zachary Tobe got hurt against Georgia in the regular season finale, although Warren Burrell, their top-graded cornerback, returned for that game. 

This game features significant shootout potential, with both offenses finding paths to points. Still, I’m most confident in Haynes King and sharp offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner producing offense against a vulnerable Vanderbilt pass defense. Bet on their team total over 27.5 here.

Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Prop Picks

Malik Rutherford OVER Receptions (Not available yet)

After initially entering the transfer portal, Georgia Tech slot receiver Malik Rutherford has withdrawn and will finish his college career with the Yellow Jackets. That means he’ll suit up for this matchup against Vanderbilt.

Rutherford had multiple massive games this season, including five games with 6+ receptions. Expect him to be a focal point of Buster Faulkner’s offensive game plan against Vanderbilt’s vulnerable pass defense that ranked 124th in EPA/play and 125th in success rate.

Birmingham Bowl - Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt Betting Trends