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Gasparilla Bowl point spread: Picking Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. UCF Knights

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•12/19/23•

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NCAA Football: Louisville at Georgia Tech
Sep 1, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key on the field before a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

In the early stages of bowl season, Friday will be just the second matchup between two Power Five programs. The Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa will play host to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and UCF Knights, with both teams coming in 6-6. Winner will get to celebrate a winning season while the other will finish out the year with a losing record.

How to watch Georgia Tech vs. UCF

Time: 5:30 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 22
Channel: ESPN or ESPN+, FuboTV (streaming)
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)

UCF will enter the favorites under head coach Gus Malzhan. The Knights are wrapping up their first season in the Big 12 and won three out of their last four regular season games.

As for Georgia Tech, they were able to test Georgia in their finale but wound up on the winning end. Brent Key has done a good job in Atlanta though, earning a couple of signature wins along the way.

On3’s Andy Staples gave out his pick for the game, considering it a toss-up. He does enjoy the matchup when looking at quarterbacks, with both Haynes King and John Rhys Plumlee being good stories out of the NCAA transfer portal.

In a snap decision, Staples decided to go with Georgia Tech, taking them to win and cover the spread.

“Both of these teams have lost players to the portal,” Staples said during Monday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “I don’t really know where to go with this. So, I think I’m going to take the points here. I will take Georgia Tech and the 4.5 points.”

Whenever Staples makes his picks, he brings a guest on to make their own and discuss the matchup. This one may be the best cameo of them all, with a coin being Staples’ opposition. George Washington was going to get a pick as well and went with…

“Heads, Georgia Tech,” Staples began. “Tails, UCF. What does the coin say… It is a head. The coin agrees with me. The coin will also take Georgia Tech.”

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Friday will be the second consecutive season Georgia Tech and UCF faced off. Orlando was the site during the nonconference portion of the schedule, with the Knights coming out on top. Revenge will certainly be on GT’s mind and Staples likes them to get the job done.