A pair of teams vying to put a stamp on overachieving campaigns will meet as Georgia Tech squares off with Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl on Friday in Birmingham, Ala.Georgia Tech (7-5) is appearing in back-to-back bowl games for the first time since an 18-year run from 1997-2014, and a win would give the Yellow Jackets consecutive bowl wins for the first time in 20 years. For a Georgia Tech program that endured a 14-32 stretch from 2019-22, this season has given Yellow Jacket fans a reason to believe a resurgence is near.After knocking off No. 10 Florida State in the season opener, Georgia Tech climbed into the AP Poll for the first time in nine years. Although it was a short stay in the rankings, head coach Brent Key’s team piqued the nation’s interest again in November, when it took down undefeated No. 4 Miami, 28-23.The Yellow Jackets had another chance to shake up the college football landscape against then-No. 7 Georgia, but blew a late 14-point lead en route to an eight-overtime defeat.Now with one more opportunity against the Southeastern Conference, Key thinks the bowl organizers nailed this one on the head.”We’re excited to go over to Birmingham and play a really good opponent,” Key said. “I think this is a really good matchup. When you look at bowl games, that’s what you look for, the matchups. And I think they got this one right.”Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King’s 1,910 passing yards and 22 total touchdowns (11 passing, 11 rushing) have steadied the offense throughout the year, but the Yellow Jackets will be without their leading receiver, Eric Singleton Jr., who entered the transfer portal after the regular season and signed with Auburn on Monday.Starting defensive lineman Romello Height also transferred, meaning a next-man-up mentality will be in order for Key’s squad.”One person is not going to make a difference as far as rotational depth,” Key said. “We’re going to continue to coach the guys that are here, and prepare them not only for this game but for the rest of their careers here at Georgia Tech.”Singleton paced Georgia Tech with 754 receiving yards to go along with four total touchdowns, while Height tallied 2 1/2 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.