Consistent with conference tie-ins, the game featured Georgia Tech from the
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Vanderbilt from the
Southeastern Conference (SEC). Both teams accepted bowl invitations on December 8. The teams share a
historic rivalry, having met 38 times previously, although this was their first meeting since 2016.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Georgia Tech compiled a 7–5 regular-season record (5–3 in ACC play). The Yellow Jackets won their first two games and were briefly ranked 23rd in the nation, their first
AP Poll ranking since 2015. Georgia Tech faced five ranked teams during the season, defeating
Florida State and
Miami while losing to
Louisville,
Notre Dame, and
Georgia.
Vanderbilt Commodores Vanderbilt finished the regular season 6–6, a significant improvement from their 2–10 season in
2023. The Commodores received widespread attention after they defeated top-ranked
Alabama, 40–35, on October 5. The upset marked the beginning of a three-game winning streak that saw Vanderbilt receive its first
AP poll ranking since
2013. Vanderbilt also notched upsets over
Virginia Tech,
Kentucky, and
Auburn (the final of which granted Vanderbilt
bowl eligibility for the first time since
2018) while only losing by one score to
Georgia State,
No. 7 Missouri,
No. 5 Texas, and
LSU. Vanderbilt lost its regular season finale in a
rivalry game against
Tennessee. With their win over Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt secured their first winning season since the
2013 Commodores and their first bowl win since the
2014 BBVA Compass Bowl. ==Game summary==