Matchup: UCLA vs. Virginia Tech
Location: El Paso, TX ~ Sun Bowl Stadium
Line: UCLA -7. Total 47.5
Keys to Victory for UCLA
-The Bruins start three freshmen on their offensive line: Scott
Quessenberry at left guard, Alex Redmond at right
guard and Caleb Benenoch at right tackle. Their performance will likely dictate just how well UCLA QB Brett Hundley moves the ball against the best defense they'll see all year.
-Sophomore QB Brett Hundley has passed for 2,845 yards and 22 TDs, while also having rushed for 587 yards and 9 TDs. A strong performance in this game may elevate his draft status as he's an outside shot at being the first QB taken if he decides to forgo his final 2 college seasons.
-Freshman linebacker Myles Jack (7 rushing TDs, 70 tackles) was named the
Pac-12's Freshman Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. Forgive the play on words, but he's truly a Jack of all Trades.
Keys to Victory for Virginia Tech
-Virginia Tech's 4-2-5 defense features Defensive Ends James Gayle and J.R. Collins and
tackles Derrick Hopkins and Luther Maddy, the lone junior among three
seniors. The experienced Line should be able to cause plenty of trouble for Hundley.
-It really is all about the defense for the Hokies. Virginia Tech is No. 4 in the nation among FBS teams in total defense,
No. 3 in passing defense and No. 8 in rushing defense and points allowed.
-Perhaps their best corners are Kyle Fuller who is a second-team All-American (2 INTs) and his
brother, freshman CB Kendall Fuller (6 INTs), who was named ACC Defensive
Rookie of the Year.
-QB Logan Thomas seems to have all the tools in the world with his 6'6 245 pound frame. He has 29 career rushing touchdowns and tremendous arm strength. Unfortunately for Va Tech, Thomas has made plenty of questionable decisions and hasn't blossomed into the QB they've hoped he would become.
Prediction: Virginia Tech could certainly pull off an upset due to the fact that their defense is very experienced and should provide fits for a potent, but inexperienced Bruin offense. UCLA certainly has more overall talent, but they'll have to be on top of their game in order to prevent a Hokie victory.
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