TOM STRYKER’S FREE FOOTBALL SELECTION FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30TH
#262 UCLA (-7′) over Pittsburgh at 2 PM EST
Off the season-ending road win at California, a string of three pointspread losses, and still in the hunt for its tenth victory of the season, UCLA will bring its “A-Game” to the Sun Bowl and do a number on Pittsburgh. The Panthers enter this contest on a red-hot 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS run but the Bruins high-octane offense will prove to be too much for Pitt’s top 20 defense.
There are a number of quality angles that support this Best Bet. For starters, in non-conference play battling an opponent that arrives off a SU and ATS victory, UCLA has been an excellent source of income inking a strong 21-11 SU and 25-7 ATS record. Equally impressive, when coming off three or more pointspread losses, the Bruins have been worth the financial risk posting a reliable 9-3 SU and ATS mark in their last 12 games. Finally, when running with rest and matched up against an opponent that holds a team won/loss percentage of .660 or better, head coach Chip Kelly’s crew owns a profitable 26-13-1 ATS record provided they are priced as a favorite or a short underdog of +6.5 or less. In this setting facing a foe that was on the road last, the Bruins tighten up to a rewarding 15-2-1 ATS.
Sporting a dismal 7-15 SU and ATS record in its last 22 tries, Pittsburgh hasn’t exactly been college football’s best bowl team over the years. In this postseason run checking in with steam off a straight up win, the Panthers fall to a dismal 3-10 SU and ATS. Also, in non-conference play taking the field with momentum off a straight up win, Pitt has struggled notching a feeble 14-26-2 ATS mark including a rough 11-25-1 ATS provided its opponent carries a team won/loss percentage of .500 or better. Finally, when priced as a single-digit underdog and checking in off a straight up win, head coach Pat Narduzzi and his troops hold a soft 8-30-1 SU and 14-24-1 ATS tally provided their opponent takes the field with confidence off a straight up win as well.
Even though the underdog has performed well in the Sun Bowl, the high-powered Bruins offense will be too much for the Panthers to keep in check for four quarters. Take UCLA. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM’S 35-12 ATS NCAA ULTIMATE BOWL WAGER
Coming off a 1-1 ATS Thursday in the bowls (1-3 ATS overall on all posted plays), Stryker looks to right the ship with one college football investment that will deliver the mail. Serious technical support lines up on the power play including three different angles that hold lucrative marks of 35-12 ATS, 20-6 ATS, and 43-24 ATS. Grab Tom’s NCAA Ultimate Bowl Wager for $30.