The 2022 Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl is game two of five Friday college football bowl matchups on the NCAAF schedule, leading up to the final weekend of 2022. The Pittsburgh Panthers and #18 UCLA Bruins square off inside the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. Friday’s tilt will be the first meeting between these two programs since 1972.
In our Pittsburgh vs UCLA betting analysis article below, you will get all the information you need to place your bets leading up to kickoff. Read on for our NCAAF picks based on the best NCAAF odds.
Last Game Records
Pittsburgh Panthers raced out to a 28-0 first-half lead en route to a 42-16 blowout victory over the Miami Hurricanes to close out the regular season. The Panthers ended the regular season slate winning its final four contests.
Kedon Slovis threw for 262 yards and tossed three touchdown passes in the victory, while Israel Abanikanda and C’Bo Flemister combined to rush for 200 yards and three scores.
Zach Charbonnet scored on a five-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter to put the Bruins up for good in a 35-28 victory over rival Cal to end the regular season.
The UCLA Bruins got 119 yards and two touchdowns on the ground from Charbonnet. UCLA star quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson added two rushings and one passing touchdown.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. UCLA Bruins Odds
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Analysis
Pittsburgh Panthers Analysis
Closing out the year with four-straight wins is the kind of momentum you want to carry over into your bowl game. The Pitt Panthers finished second in their NCAAF standings within the ACC division and are playing in their fourth bowl game in five years. Narduzzi has been the head coach of the Panthers for eight seasons.
On offense, the Panthers average 30.8 points per game and tally 402.5 yards of total offense. Defensively, Pittsburgh limits teams to 23.4 points and 319.7 yards of total offense per contest.
UCLA Bruins Analysis
It took longer than many would have liked, but Chip Kelly has the Bruins back in the national spotlight again in his fifth season as the head coach at UCLA. The Bruins tripped up in the final month with a pair of conference losses and settled for a tie for fifth in the Pac-12.
UCLA’s offense scored 39.6 points and averaged 507.8 yards of total offense per game. The Bruins’ defense surrendered 28.3 points and 399.8 yards of offense to opposing teams.
Updates
Pittsburgh’s Brandon Hill and Israel Abanikanda are both listed as out on the injury report due to personal reasons. Both will be preparing for the NFL draft.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs UCLA Bruins Betting Preview
The Panthers are a 6-point (-110) underdog heading into Friday’s showdown. On the moneyline, you can snag Pittsburgh at +170, and their team total over/under is 22.5 points.
UCLA is a 6-point (-110) betting favorite against Pitt. You can grab the Bruins on the moneyline at -215. The team total for UCLA is 29.5, and the game total is 53.5 points.
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. UCLA Bruins Prediction
Now that you have the Pittsburgh vs UCLA betting analysis, it is time for us to dive into our predictions and best bets for the matchup. One thing is for sure; this is one of the NCAAF games you are not going to want to miss.
These two teams are different in philosophies, with the Bruins showcasing an up-tempo offense and the Panthers controlling the clock with a balanced attack and strong defense.
The questions leading up to the contest were if some of UCLA’s star players would elect to play in the bowl game or opt-out.
It appears that the two in question, quarterback Thompson-Robinson and running back Charbonnet, will suit up one more time for the Bruins before turning pro. Having those two players in action is huge for Kelly and UCLA and gives the Bruins the edge in this one.
Expect this one to be close in the first half, with each team trading punches, but the play of Tompson-Robinson in the second half is the difference-maker for a UCLA win. For our Pittsburgh vs UCLA betting analysis, take the following:
- NCAAF Pick: UCLA Bruins -6
- UCLA Bruins TT O29.5
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