Posted on December 30, 2022
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We’re in the home stretch of our 2022 soccer protection with a few bowl video games remaining to participate in.
UCLA squares off from Pitt in the Sunlight Bowl on Friday morning, USC faces Tulane in the Cotton Bowl on Monday morning, and Utah will take on Penn Point out in Rose Bowl on Monday afternoon.
As always, my picks occur with amazingly precise match scores and just adequate commentary to retain me from ingesting far too substantially espresso at my favorite java store in this article in the beautiful Shoreline district of Seattle.
Pittsburgh vs. No. 18 UCLA
Friday, December 30
11:00 am PT, CBS
If Pittsburgh was at total benchpress, I could decide on them to acquire this video game. Regrettably, they’re not. The Panthers are with no absolutely everyone.
Ex-Trojan quarterback Kedon Slovis just transferred from Pitt to the dim gap. Also opting out of this contest is halfback Israel Abanikanda who ran for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns this year.
They’ll also be missing crucial defensive parts at each level, most notably, All-American defensive lineman Calijah Kancey.
The Bruins just have to stay away from acquiring sunburned. No concerns there. They’re now tanned.
The UCLA gamers are in fact coming to perform and they require to dominate. This is larger than the Pac-12, this is for delight.
If they simply cannot beat Pittsburgh devoid of its starting up sign caller, foremost rusher, top tackler, and very best professional prospect, it is on Chip.
But it ain’t gonna happen.
Bruins by 14.
Final Score: UCLA 38, Pitt 24
No 16 Tulane vs. No. 10 USC
Monday, January 2
10:00 am PT, ESPN
In no realm in this planet do I feel Tulane can defeat a Caleb Williams-led USC squad.
It would be like Val Venis beating Brock Lesnar. “Hello, Women.”
Minus my WWE reference, the Trojans do need to have to conquer two road blocks in this contest.
To start with, they’ll need to have to figure out how to scheme devoid of offensive linemen Brett Neilon and Andrew Vorhees, the two will miss this matchup. They’ll also require creation from various wideouts to exchange Jordan Addison, who is out with an ankle personal injury.
Tulane’s Michael Pratt is a darn excellent quarterback. The Environmentally friendly Wave has a well balanced attack, and quite considerably their full roster is tying their apron on for this contest.
But Tulane nonetheless isn’t gonna beat USC.
Did you not examine my opening line? I don’t believe in fraud.
Trojans by Seven.
Closing Rating: USC 35, Tulane 28
No. 11 Penn State vs. No.8 Utah
Monday, January 2
2:00 pm PT, ESPN
This is the just one Utah’s gotta get. The Utes have designed them selves into a tradition out west.
And even although Penn State’s a famous plan, they’re not Ohio Condition, Clemson, or Alabama.
To earn a Rose Bowl would be a monumental instant for the Utes. It feels like it could be their reckoning on a countrywide landscape.
Persons usually want to congratulate the Loveable Loser, and that’s the remedy Utah bought in the defeat to the Buckeyes previous yr.
But no additional, it is time for the Utes to win far more than the Pac-12 Championship.
They’ll be missing cornerback Clark Phillips III and restricted conclusion Dalton Kincaid. But they nonetheless have their quarterback, coach, and culture to get it completed.
Kyle Whittingham’s been in Salt Lake Metropolis for 18 years. It is time to strike the Grand Daddy Purp.
Utes by a few.
Closing Score: Utah 27, Penn Condition 24
—More from Nick Bartlett—
