Two blowout losses to Texas Tech prevented BYU from being a participant in the College Football Playoff.
The No. 12 Cougars (11-2) now look to set aside the disappointment when they face No. 22 Georgia Tech (9-3) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday.
Being part of the playoffs would have been tastier, but BYU intends to make the best of the situation. The Cougars were the second team out behind Notre Dame in the CFP’s final picture. Miami, at No. 10, earned the final berth.
Linebacker Isaiah Glasker is among the BYU players who have a chip on his shoulder due to the snub.
“I feel like if we can get a win right here, we can show the committee what the Big 12 is really about,” Glasker said. “Really, we feel like we should have been in the playoffs. We feel like that is enough of a driving factor for us. We are going to be ready to show out in the bowl game.”
Losing by a combined 63-14 to Texas Tech — including by 27 points in the Big 12 title game — made it easier for the committee to bypass BYU.
“Obviously it was a tough loss, but we understand what’s at stake with the bowl game, and getting momentum going into next season as well,” said freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. “We have that flip-the-page mentality and are really focused on this next game.”
Bachmeier sustained an ankle injury early in the Big 12 title game, but he has been cleared to play against the Yellow Jackets. He passed for 14 touchdowns, rushed for 11 and was intercepted just six times.
But BYU coach Kalani Sitake said Tuesday that leading rusher LJ Martin will miss the game after an unspecified recent surgery. The junior rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns and was voted Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
“He’s recovering at home right now, but he’ll be back to watch these guys and cheer on his brothers on Saturday,” Sitake said of Martin, who has yet to decide whether to enter the NFL draft.
BYU can earn its first 12-win season since 2001 as it takes on Georgia Tech, which started the season with eight straight victories before going 1-3 down the stretch.
The Yellow Jackets were ranked No. 8 before their unbeaten season ended against NC State on Nov. 1.
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key feels his own team could have been part of the field.
“I’m looking at myself saying we shouldn’t have stubbed our toe at the end of the season,” Key said. “We should be in there. And if you really feel that way, then we need to get our asses together and play our butts off and play a very competitive game versus a good football team. Because you’re dang right, BYU should’ve been in those (first-round) games.”
Quarterback Haynes King stood out for the Yellow Jackets and became the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. He completed 71.7% of his throws for 2,697 yards and 12 touchdowns against five interceptions while rushing for 922 yards and 15 scores. His 10th-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting made him the first Georgia Tech player in the top 10 since Calvin Johnson in 2006.
King’s name is stamped all over the school’s record book as he completes his third and final season at Georgia Tech.
He holds records for career completion percentage (68.1%) and touchdowns responsible for (89). He ranks second in total offense (9,899 yards) and completions (652), third in passing touchdowns (53) and fourth in passing yardage (7,653).
King looks forward to wearing the Yellow Jackets’ uniform one last time.
“We’ve put time, effort, blood, sweat, and tears all into this season, and it’s not over yet,” King said. “And I’ve said it before, I’m not one to jump ship and quit. And I wanna ride it out and finish it with my brothers.”
BYU is 3-1 all-time against Georgia Tech, including a 38-20 win at Provo, Utah, in 2013.
–Field Level Media
