Kansas State vs. UCLA: Alamo Bowl Preview With TV Schedule

The UCLA Bruins blew their shot at a berth in the College Football Playoff with two early-October losses. However, the Bruins have found a way to attract a matchup with one of the Big 12‘s best teams. The Kansas State Wildcats are looking to prove that they are no fluke after winning just one game against a ranked opponent this season.

The Bruins had one of the best quarterbacks in the nation this season as junior Brett Hundley put together a solid year, passing for 3,019 yards, 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions while completing a solid 70 percent of his passes. He was also second on the team in rushing, racking up 548 yards and eight touchdowns, trailing only Paul Perkins‘ 1,378 yards and seven scores on the ground. Hundley’s favorite target in the receiving corps has been Jordan Payton who has caught a team-high 63 passes for 896 yards and seven touchdowns while Thomas Duarte is second with 521 yards and four touchdowns on just 27 receptions.

Kansas State was also led by one of the nation’s best quarterbacks and one that has been severely underrated all season long. Jake Waters is one of the country’s top dual-threats, passing for 3,163 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions while also running for 471 yards and eight scores. He trails only Charles Jones in the run game who has just 521 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Waters has a talented wide out to throw to on a regular basis in the dynamic Tyler Lockett who has grabbed 93 passes for 1,351 yards and nine touchdowns while Curry Sexton is second on the team with 69 receptions for 955 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensively, UCLA has been nothing more than average this year. In 2014, the Bruins rank 70th in total yards allowed and 74th in points allowed per game. Kansas State’s unit has been much better as a whole. The Wildcats rank 27th in points allowed and a just-as-impressive 36th in total yards allowed per contest.

When: 6:45 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 2

Where: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas

TV: ESPN

PREDICTION: Kansas State 27, UCLA 24

Want to see Kansas State take on UCLA in the Alamo Bowl? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].