Glenn Coleman
Dec 24, 2023 - 01:05

Georgia Tech football game tonight vs. UCF: FREE live stream, time, TV, channel for Gasparilla Bowl

Georgia Tech faces UCF in Gasparilla Bowl. Key matchup: Georgia Tech QB Haynes King vs. UCF defense. Both teams want winning record.

Georgia Tech is set to face off against UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday, December 22, 2023 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Both teams head into the matchup with 6-6 records and are looking to end the season on a high note with a winning record. UCF is wrapping up its first season in a Power 5 conference and is aiming to build momentum for next season in the Big 12, especially as powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma are set to join the SEC. On the other hand, Georgia Tech is hoping to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2018.

One of the key matchups to watch in the game is Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King going up against the UCF defense. King, a redshirt sophomore, has had an impressive season, being one of only two players in the nation with at least 2,700 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, 25 touchdown passes, and five touchdown runs. The other player with similar stats is Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU.

In addition to King, players to keep an eye on include Georgia Tech's defensive back Jaylon King, who has four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a blocked kick, and 68 tackles, and UCF's quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who has completed 145 of 227 passes for 2,073 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games. Plumlee will be facing a Georgia Tech defense that has allowed an average of 30.5 points per game, ranking 101st nationally.

Notable facts and figures surrounding the game include Georgia Tech coach Brent Key's 11 seasons as an assistant at UCF from 2005 to 2015, UCF's strong finish to become bowl eligible, Georgia Tech's first bowl bid since 2018, and UCF's eighth consecutive bowl appearance. The Knights have also won the two most recent meetings between the two teams, with victories in 2020 and 2022.

Overall, the Gasparilla Bowl matchup between Georgia Tech and UCF promises to be an exciting game as both teams look to cap off their seasons with a win.