Alamo Bowl: Wildcats vs Bruins Odds
The Valero Alamo Bowl betting action sees the #11 Kansas State Wildcats taking on the #14 UCLA Bruins on Friday, January 2nd at The Alamodome in San Antonio. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA football handicapping tips all season long.
It’s a race to ten wins for both the Wildcats and the Bruins in this game.
College Football Lines
2015 Alamo Bowl
#11 Kansas State (9-3, 7-2 Big 12) @ #14 UCLA (9-3, 6-3 Pac-12)
Friday, January 2nd 6:45 PM ET @ Alamodome – San Antonio
NCAA Football Spread: UCLA -1.5
NCAA Football O/U: 59
***2014 CFB BONUSES***
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]Click here to view… ATS Stats & Expert NCAA Betting Prediction Insight!
UCLA lost their last game 31-10 to Stanford while Kansas State dropped a heartbreaker to Baylor 38-27.
Now they each have one more chance at 10 wins, but have to get through each other to get it.
[dfads params=’groups=63738&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Not only will the Bruins need to prepare for Kansas State in this one, but they will need to knock the rust off themselves as well. While most teams played a game in the month of December, UCLA last played on November 28 in their loss to Stanford.
Kansas State will have to prepare for a potent offense including a potential first round pick in Bruin QB Brett Hundley. The Wildcats will use their passing game to try and shut down the young secondary of UCLA while keeping with their rare feat of only 11 turnovers all season.
#11 Kansas State
As there is each season, rumors are that Bill Snyder might be retiring after this season. If he does, this will give his players a much needed momentum boost to take it to the Bruins. Although they don’t really need any motivation.
Jake Waters has been phenomenal for the Wildcats this season. Going 231 of 349 passing, Waters amassed 3,163 passing yards as well as 20 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. He is also the team’s second-leading rusher with 139 carries for 471 yards and 8 scores.
Leading in rushing is Charles Jones, who is edging Waters out by about 50 yards on the year. On 124 carries, Jones has 521 yards on the ground and a whopping 13 touchdowns. He also has 55 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Tyler Lockett has been a popular name in the Big 12.
[dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The Wildcat wide receiver has been solid this season, catching 93 passes for 1,351 yards and 9 touchdowns. Next in receiving is Curry Sexton, who has 69 grabs for 955 yards and 5 touchdowns.
#14 UCLA
Jim Mora and company have had quite an interesting season. The Bruins suffered early back to back losses in conference play and couldn’t find their way back into the Pac-12 title hunt, although they came close.
Leading the team this year was high-profile quarterback Brett Hundley. On the year, Hundley went 259 of 368 for 3,019 yards, 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. On the ground, he is the second leading rusher on the team, carrying the ball 148 times for 548 yards and 8 scores.
Spearheading the running game is Paul Perkins. With 230 carries, Perkins barrelled his way to 1,378 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. He also had 26 grabs for 201 yards and 2 scores.
In the receiving game, Jordan Payton was the clear standout in the group. With 63 receptions, Payton racked up 896 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. Thomas Duarte 27 carries for 521 yards and 4 scores while Devin Fuller had 57 grabs for 428 yards and a touchdown.
You can’t talk about the Bruins without mentioning their defense. Headliners Eric Kendricks and Myles Jack made several big plays this season for the UCLA defense. Kendricks led the team with 139 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 5 passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
[dfads params=’groups=63739&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Jack is second on the team in tackles with 80. He also has 6 tackles for loss and 7 passes defended.
NCAA football handicapping trends
- Wildcats are 21-5 ATS in their last 26 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game
- Wildcats are 19-6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record
- Bruins are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big 12
- Bruins are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game
- Bruins are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. loss
Alamo Bowl Prediction
This has the makings of a very good game. Both teams have strong offenses and defenses that made big plays all season to keep their teams in games. Both have electric players that could turn the tides of a game in a split second.
What this game is going to come down to is who can make the big play or the big stop when it’s needed the most.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Kansas State +1.5
When you consider that this could be more of a home game for the Wildcats and that UCLA’s biggest issue on defense is explosive pass plays, this one could very well tilt in the favor of Kansas State.
Final Alamo Bowl Score: #11 Kansas State 33 – #14 UCLA 24
You could take the over in this one quite easily, but the more challenging pick would be to go against the spread and choose Kansas State.
Check out our Updated College Football Bowl Game Odds.
[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
