Play vs Us On Underdog! Use Promo-Code: YARDSPER for a 100% deposit match up to $100
One of the older bowls, the Sun Bowl first debuted in 1935. This will be the 5th appearance for each of the schools playing in El Paso. Pitt (2-2 in the Sun Bowl) takes on UCLA (3-1) in a ACC/Pac 12 battle
When: Friday, December 30th @ 2:00 PM ET
Where: El Paso, Texas
Who: Pittsburgh vs. UCLA
Spread & Total: UCLA -8.5; O/U 54.5
HEAD ON OVER TO BETUS AND USE PROMO CODE YARDSPER FOR A 125% DEPOSIT BONUS. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.
Tale of the Take: Pittsburgh Panthers
Former USC quarterback Kedon Slovis led the charge on offense for Pitt this season. But as the stats show, it wasn’t exactly pretty. Slovis completed just 58.4% of his attempts, 7.6 YPA, 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Slovis entered the transfer portal and won’t play in the game. Pitt is having a quarterback battle for their bowl game starter between freshman Nate Yarnell and senior Nick Patti. Yarnell was better this season, but Patti has the experience. Over his career, Patti has completed 58.6% of his attempts, 6.4 YPA, 4 touchdowns to 1 interception. The major loss for the offense is Israel Abanikanda, one of the best running backs in the country this year. He accounted for 21 of the team’s 40 scores and just under 1,600 yards of offense.
Pitt’s defense has been strong all season. While they are middle of the pack in passing yards allowed, they have sacked opposing quarterbacks 44 times, the most in FBS. However, players who recorded 25.5 sacks have either opted out, transferred, or are unavailable for the bowl game due to injuries. Pitt’s 7th ranked run defense was the best in the ACC. They also forced 9 fumbles on the season.
Opt Outs
RB Israel Abanikanda
(First Team All-ACC. 239 carries for 1,431 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns (most nationally). Added 12 receptions for 146 yards (12.2 YPC) and 1 touchdown)
OT Gabe Houy
OT Carter Warren
DT Calijah Kancey
(First Team All-ACC; 31 tackles (14.5 for loss). 7 sacks was tied for the team lead.)
EDGE Deslin Alexandre
LB SirVocea Dennis
(First Team All-ACC; 91 tackles (12 for loss) led team. 7 sacks was tied for the team lead.)
S Brandon Hill
Transfer Portal Departures:
QB Kedon Slovis (2,397 yards on 58.4% completion rate. 10 TDs / 9 INTs)
WR Jaylon Barden
WR Jaden Bradley (10 receptions, 130 yards and 2 touchdowns)
EDGE John Morgan III
EDGE Sam Williams
S Judson Tallandier II
Players to Know:
WR Jared Wayne
Second Team All-ACC Selection. Leads team with 55 receptions, 1,012 yards (18.4 YPC) and 5 touchdowns. Accounts for 27.2/ 38.1/ 41.7% of team’s receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
S Erick Hallett II
Second Team All-ACC Selection. 9 pass deflections (2nd most on team), 3 interceptions is the most on the team. 2 forced fumbles, recovering 3
Tale of the Tape: UCLA Bruins
The lead pieces of this UCLA team are expected to play in this bowl game. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the country. DTR averaged 8.1 YPA while completing 69.8% of his attempts for 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He added 97 carries for 735 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. While Pitt has a great running back opting out, UCLA has a great back of their own who appears to be playing. Charbonnet averaged 7 YPC and scored 14 rushing touchdowns on the season. These two complete a stellar Chip Kelly offense.
Defensively, UCLA is sound at stopping the run. UCLA surrenders just 3.7 YPC and has forced 9 fumbles on the year. But the pass defense struggles. The 120th ranked pass defense is the 8th worse among bowl eligible teams. Luckily for the Bruins, Pitt struggles to air it out and is on a replacement quarterback.
Opt Outs: N/A
Transfer Portal Departures:
QB Chase Artopoeus
DT Hayden Harris
CB Kobey Fitzgerald
Player to Know:
RB Zach Charbonnet
All-Pac 12 First Team. 7.0 YPC ranks 7th nationally. Just under 1,700 total yards and 14 touchdowns
DL Laiatu Latu
All-Pac 12 First Team. 33 tackles (9 for loss). Led team with 9.5 sacks. Forced 3 fumbles, recovered 2.
Bowl Game Trends:
- Sun Bowl History – Pac 12: 19-12-1; ACC: 5-11
- Pat Narduzzi: 1-4 in bowl games at Pitt
Game Synopsis:
Pitt is without crucial pieces on both sides of the ball, including all of the team’s captains. And the status of Jared Wayne is in question; Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi declined to comment on his status for the bowl game earlier this month. UCLA is expected to have Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Charbonnet, and Jake Bobo are all expected to play. DTR and Charbonnet account for 50 of the team’s 61 touchdowns. UCLA rolls in the Sun Bowl
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: UCLA
Bowl Mania Confidence: 37/43
Follow @DrewRoberts_ for more football content!
