UCLA Bruins vs #18 NC State Wolfpack 2021 Holiday Bowl

Here is our UCLA vs NC State prediction for the 2021 San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl. This is the fourth of five games being played on Tuesday, December 28. The UCLA Bruins (8-4) finished the season by winning their last three games of the season. With a 6-3 Pac-12 record, the Bruins tied for second in the South with Arizona State. The #18 NC State Wolfpack (9-3) ended their season by winning four of their last five contests. The Wolfpack, who posted a 6-2 conference mark, tied for second in the ACC Atlantic with #19 Clemson.

Holiday Bowl Spread and Totals Odds

In this game, UCLA is the underdog at +1.0 (-102), while favored NC State is -1.0 (-117). The total is at 59.5 with the over being -114 and under -106. The 2021 San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl will be played at Petco Park in San Diego, CA with kickoff at 8:00 pm ET. The weather forecast is for clear skies with temperatures in the mid-50s. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

Bruins vs Wolfpack Pick - Stats

In creating our UCLA vs NC State prediction, we find that both teams can score, as the Bruins are averaging 36.7 PPG and the Wolfpack 33.1 PPG. The Bruins are averaging 226.2 passing YPG and 215.2 rushing YPG. Unlike the Bruins, who focus on the ground game, NC State’s primary mode of attack is in the air. The Wolfpack is good for 288.4 passing yards per game and 126.2 ground yards.

NC State is much tougher on defense than UCLA. The Wolfpack is allowing just 19.7 PPG, while the Bruins are giving up 26.8 YPG. The Pack D is permitting teams 331.6 YPG with 207.6 in the air and 124.0 on the ground. On the other hand, the UCLA defense is allowing opponents 384.5 total yards per contest. That includes 207.6 passing YPG and 124.0 rushing YPG.

UCLA vs NC State Prediction - Key Players

UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (2,409 YDs, 62.2 COMP%, 21 TDs, 6 INTs, 20 SCKs) will be targeting wideout Kyle Philips (89 REC, 739 YDs, 10 TDs) and tight end Greg Dulcich (42 REC, 725 YDs, 5 TDs). Thompson-Robinson, the third-leading rusher on the team, has scored nine ground TDs. Running backs Zach Charbonnet (202 ATT 1,137 YDs, 5.6 AVG, 13 TDs) and Brittain Brown (102 ATT, 616 YDs, 6.0 AVG, 7 TDs) are a solid rushing duo. On defense, DB Quentin Lake (6 PS, 3 INTs) and LBs Qwuantrezz Knight (65 TCKLs, 2.5 SCKS, 3 PD, 3 FF) and Jordan Genmark Heath (55 TCKLs, 3.5 SCKS, 2 PD, 1 INT) are premium contributors.

For the Wolfpack, QB Devin Leary (3,433 YDs, 65.7 COMP%, 35 TDs, 5 INTs, 25 SCKs) is a quality leader and performer. He has a large group of pass catchers to toss to that includes wideouts Emeka Emezie, Thayer Thomas and Devin Carter. The trio has combined for 142 catches, over 1,900 yards, and 20 TDs. Running backs Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person Jr. are the team’s two top ground gainers. They’ve combined for over 1,300 yards and totaled eight TDs. On defense, linebacker Drake Thomas (99 TCKLs, 6 SCKS, 3 INTs) is a top performer and leader. DL Daniel Joseph DL and LB Vi Jones have five and six sacks respectively.

UCLA vs NC State Prediction

We like NC State’s chances in this one for a few reasons. First, they have a well-rounded offense. However, so do the Bruins. But the Wolfpack’s defense is superior to that of the Bruins. Our UCLA vs NC State prediction is NC State at -1.0 (-117). Look for the Wolfpack to score about 38 points while the Bruins put up about 25. That gets us to over 59.5 (-114).

Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first week, we went 12-4 with an 8-2 mark on Saturday.

2021 Holiday Bowl - UCLA vs NC State Summary

Spread - NC State -1.0 (-117)

Over/Under - Over 59.5 (-114)