This matchup is one of my favorite bowl matchups to watch this season. The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl has two teams that I loved watching this year going head to head against one another. We got an ACC team going up against a Pac 12 team in this one. The two teams in this matchup are NC State (9-3) and UCLA (8-4). Both teams were fun to watch this season and these two teams going at it will be a must watch. With that being said here is my preview for the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl.
NC State
NC State was a team that really went under the radar in 2021. Everybody was more worried about the fall of Clemson, or the rise of Pittsburgh and the year of North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell. However, NC State has one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country this year in Devin Leary. Leary has thrown for 3,433 passing yards with 35 passing touchdowns to only 5 interceptions. This NC State offense averages 429.2 total yards per game and is ranked 32nd in the nation in passing yards thrown per game (288.4). This offense can score as well as they put up just over 33 points per game as well. NC State is going to have to take advantage of that UCLA secondary which gives up around 260.1 passing yards per game.
Defensively, the Wolfpack are pretty solid. They give up less than 20 points per game, and are very good at containing opposing offenses at completing a first down on third down. NC State’s defense can be a factor in this one that UCLA will have to try and put together a scheme to keep this defense on their toes.
UCLA
UCLA’s offense has lived up to what Chip Kelly expects out of them. 42nd in the nation in total yards per game (452.8), 23rd in rushing yards per game (215.1) and 16th in the nation in points per game (36.5). This offense is led by Dorian Thompson-Robinson who you could make an argument was the best quarterback in the Pac 12 this year. Also this offense is led by running back Zach Charbonnet who rushed for 1,137 yards and added 13 rushing touchdowns as well. Offensively, UCLA will have to get the running game going against this NC State defense who only gives up 124 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, UCLA is going to have to contain the NC State passing attack with their nickel coverage. They allow 260.1 passing yards per game and just over 400 total yards of offense per game. The Bruins need to limit opponents from converting on third down as they have given up a 44.1% completion on third down. The Bruins defense needs to stop NC State on third down and do what they need to do to keep NC State’s offense off of the field.
Prediction:
NC State is a 2 point favorite with the over/under set at 60. I lean the over here as I think both offenses can put up points. There is a feeling that I am getting that this could be a low scoring close matchup between both sides. So my official play is UCLA +2. Love the Bruins in this spot, the trends show this game should go over in this one. However, with my worry I am going to trust UCLA in this bowl matchup.
-Chris Jones (@cjoneswho1212)
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