Hyundai Sun Bowl 2011: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-4) will take on the Utah Utes (7-5) in the 2011 edition of the Hyundai Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

The game will be a matchup of two contrasting styles, between Georgia Tech's triple-option attack and Utah's pro-style offense.

Both teams had hoped for more successful finishes to their seasons; Georgia Tech comes in having dropped its last two games, and Utah was upset by lowly Colorado with a trip to the Pac-12 Championship on the line. The game gives each team a chance to head into the offseason on a positive note.

Here is all you need to know about this New Year's Eve matchup between two programs who look to be very much on the rise.

Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas

When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 2 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS

Listen: Sportstalk 790 The Zone, Georgia Tech; ESPN Radio 700 AM, Utah

Key Storyline:

Both teams are primed to be contenders in their respective conferences next season.

Georgia Tech will lose just six starters this offseason, two on offense and four on defense, and according to head coach Paul Johnson, 31 of 44 spots on the Yellow Jackets' two-deep depth chart are freshmen or sophomores.

Utah will see the return of star quarterback and three-year starter Jordan Wynn next season, who was lost for the year in the Utes' fourth game due to injury. Utah was forced to turn to unproven backup Jon Hays in Wynn's absence and endured a stretch in which they lost three out of four games while they adjusted their offense to Hays' strengths. A four-game winning streak before dropping the shocker to Colorado gave Utah fans hope for next season.

The winner of this game will carry a lot of momentum into the offseason and certainly garner consideration for preseason accolades in 2012. Both coaches stressed the importance of winning the game, as the resulting confidence boost for their returning players is invaluable.

Key Injuries: Georgia Tech

Fortunately for head coach Paul Johnson, his squad enters the game largely intact and healthy except for a few reserves who aren't slated to make an appearance in the game either way.

Key Injuries: Utah

Jordan Wynn, QB: Out (Shoulder). Wynn was expected to lead the Utes to the top of the standings in their first season in the Pac-12, but he injured his non-throwing shoulder in week four against Washington. The junior required surgery and will not be back in time for the bowl game. Juco transfer Jon Hays has started in Wynn's place.

What It Means for Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets started the season 6-0 before dropping a close game against Virginia. Including that loss, they finished the season on a 2-4 skid. However, they did upset then-No. 5 Clemson in that time. Two of those four losses came against opponents ranked in the Top 15 (then-No. 10 Virginia Tech and then-No. 13 Georgia).

A win against Utah would help head coach Paul Johnson's young team regain much-needed confidence headed into next season.

Georgia Tech will return most of their team next year. With a win, look for Georgia Tech to make an appearance in the preseason Top 25 for 2012 and enter the season as a favorite to contend in the ACC.

What It Means for Utah

2011 was Utah's first season as a member of a BCS conference. Given the early-season injury to their star quarterback Jordan Wynn, the Utes were unable to make the splash they had hoped for in their inaugural Pac-12 season.

A win against Georgia Tech would give head coach Kyle Whittingham's crew a signature win for the season and certainly provide momentum headed into 2012, when Wynn will be back under center.

What They're Saying

Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that there is more on the line than just momentum for the future for the Yellow Jackets. As they look to avenge a 2005 loss to Utah in the Emerald Bowl, they will also hope to break a six-game bowl losing streak.

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The game offers a few incentives for the Jackets, who will begin bowl practice on Monday. First, they can end their six-game bowl losing streak. Ironically, it was the Utes who started the slide, beating the Jackets 38-10 in the 2005 Emerald Bowl in San Francisco. Second, the Jackets have a chance to finish in the final poll of the season.

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According to Bret Bloomquist of the El Paso Times, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is less than ecstatic about having to face Georgia Tech's signature triple-option.

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As a football coach, the Utes' Kyle Whittingham could add another reason he was happy to be leaving the Mountain West Conference. That meant he was also was waving goodbye to Air Force's triple-option offense.

"When we left Air Force, I thought, 'We're done with this,' " Whittingham said. "Now it's rearing its ugly head again. It's an offense you never really shut it down, you just hope to get a handle on it.

"As a former defensive coordinator, if you can pick one team you don't want to have to deal with, it's the triple option. I know our defensive coordinator (Kalani Fifita Sitake) was excited to move to the Pac-12.

"Now here we go again."

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Georgia Tech Player to Watch: QB Tevin Washington

Georgia Tech's triple-option offense relies heavily on junior quarterback Tevin Washington. It is Washington who makes the offense go based on the reads he makes after the ball is snapped.

Washington has been quite the dual threat for the Yellow Jackets this season. Not only has he racked up 1,515 yards passing to go along with 10 touchdown throws this season, he also leads the team in rushing with 890 yards on the ground. He has found the end zone 14 times as a runner.

As Washington goes, so does Georgia Tech. Keep an eye on him from the start.

Utah Player to Watch: RB John White IV

In the absence of star quarterback Jordan Wynn, Utah offensive coordinator Norm Chow has relied heavily on junior running back John White IV to keep the ball moving.

White IV has carried the ball 290 times this season for 1,404 yards and 14 scores. The Utes are 7-0 this season when White has had more than 100 yards rushing. In Utah's five losses, White hasn't had more than 85 yards.

If Utah expects to have a chance to win, it will require a steady dose of White.

Key Matchup: Utah Defense vs. Georgia Tech Offense

How Utah's defense fares against Georgia Tech's unique offense will decide the outcome of this game. If Georgia Tech is able to control the clock and march down the field for scores with ease, it will be a long day for the Utes given that their offense is less than explosive behind backup quarterback Jon Hays.

However, if Utah's defense can keep Georgia Tech's offense at bay, the powerful running of John White IV will have a chance to keep the Utes in the game with an opportunity to win at the end.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Utah 17

In the end, Georgia Tech's offense will be too much for the Utes, who lack the firepower to keep up.