Pittsburgh vs. UCLA Odds, Picks, Opt-Out Tracker for the Sun Bowl
The Pittsburgh Panthers take on the UCLA Bruins during the 2022 Sun Bowl. Jon Conahan breaks it down with his Pittsburgh vs. UCLA prediction, odds, and picks. Come check out the Pittsburgh vs. UCLA opt-outs.
Jon Conahan - December 30, 2022, 10:55 AM EST
5 minPittsburgh vs. UCLA Odds, Picks, Opt-Out Tracker for the Sun Bowl
Pittsburgh vs. UCLA Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds - Sun Bowl
- Date: Friday, December 30, 2022
- Start Time: 2:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
Click here for Pittsburgh vs. UCLA odds
We have an interesting battle in the 2022 Sun Bowl as the Pittsburgh Panthers will be taking on the UCLA Bruins. Both teams had an impressive season in their respective conferences, but UCLA is coming into this one with the upper hand as they're ranked #18 in America. Pittsburgh finished 8-4 this season, while UCLA finished 9-3. The Sun Bowl will take place in El Paso, Texas.
It would be tough to argue that Pittsburgh is the better team here, but they've also shown some impressive signs throughout the year. However, with some of their losses against teams like Georgia Tech, Louisville, and others, Pittsburgh wasn't able to have the end of the season that they were necessarily hoping for.
There was a part throughout the year when UCLA was looked at as one of the top five teams in America. Similar to what Pitt did, they couldn't get the job done when it mattered most as they ended up losing to Arizona, USC, and Oregon in three of their final five games of the regular season.
Just as with every other bowl game that we've talked about so far at Oddschecker with our college football predictions, there are going to be some opt-outs for this game as well.
With just a few hours before the opening kick of the Sun Bowl game between Pittsburgh vs UCLA, let's take a look at the latest odds, opt-out, and predictions for Friday.
Pittsburgh vs. UCLA Odds - Sun Bowl
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
UCLA | -8.5 | -315 | O 54 |
Pittsburgh | +8.5 | +260 | U 54 |
Click here for Pittsburgh vs. UCLA odds
As we can see from the UCLA vs. Pittsburgh odds, oddsmakers believe that UCLA is going to be able to come away with an easy win in this game. However, there are many factors that are going to come down to these odds.
Pittsburgh has multiple starting players that decided to opt out of this game, including their starting quarterback Kedon Slovis. Slovis decided to enter the transfer portal and now there are reports that Nick Patti will get the start for the Panthers.
Patti has only thrown 20 passes in the 2022 season, but in the prior years to this, he had some playing time sporadically. He hasn't done too bad when he's out there on the field. Patti has thrown for four touchdowns and just one interception. Perhaps Pittsburgh made the wrong decision to not start him at the beginning of the season and he can come out and do what everybody knows he can and help them get a win.
There hasn't been anything saying that Dorian Thompson-Robinson is going to miss this game and that's huge news for UCLA. DTR is one of the nation's best quarterbacks and many believe that he will have a long and successful NFL career. He threw for 2,883 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also finished with an 81.7 QBR, which ranked #10 in America.
Both teams have players that should be drafted within the first few rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, but we might not see all of them in this contest.
UCLA doesn't have as many opt-outs as Pittsburgh, but there are still a few. Pittsburgh has a ton of opt-outs, whether that be due to the transfer portal or players getting ready for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh vs. UCLA Prediction
When looking at this game, I think the line is a bit off. My prediction is going to be backing UCLA at -8.5. 8.5 points in a bowl game can be looked at as a lot, but I believe UCLA is a much better team.
Due to all of the opt-outs from Pittsburgh, it makes my bet feel even better. UCLA should come out here and dominate on both sides of the football. I wouldn't be shocked if we see a blowout in this one.
- Pittsburgh vs. UCLA Prediction: UCLA -8.5 @ -110 (Bet $100 to collect $190) Click here to tail this pick with the best odds at DraftKings!
Pittsburgh vs. UCLA Opt-Out Tracker
Pittsburgh Opt-Outs
- QB Kedon Slovis (Transfer portal)
- RB Izzy Abanikanda (Opt-out)
- WR Jaylon Barden (Transfer portal)
- WR Jaden Bradley (Transfer portal)
- OT Gabe Houy (Opt-out)
- OT Carter Warren (Opt-out/Injury)
- DT Calijah Kancey (Opt-out)
- EDGE John Morgan III (Transfer portal)
- EDGE Sam Williams (Transfer portal)
- EDGE Deslin Alexandre (Opt-out)
- LB SirVocea Dennis (Opt-out)
- S Brandon Hill (Opt-out)
- S Judson Tallandier II (Transfer portal)
UCLA Opt-Outs
- QB Chase Artopoeus (Transfer portal)
- DT Martin Andrus Jr. (Injury)
- DT Hayden Harris (Transfer portal)
- CB Kobey Fitzgerald (Transfer portal)
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