The Virginia Tech Hokies take on the UCLA Bruins in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on New Year's Eve. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. Currently the odds for the game have UCLA favored in this matchup by a touchdown.

Virginia Tech was awful against the line this season, going just 4-7-1 in their 12 games. They finished the season with an 8-4 record overall. UCLA won nine games this season and covered the number in eight of their 12 games. Of the Bruins' three losses this season two came in back-to-back road games against Stanford and Oregon. They also dropped a give-point game to Arizona State.

UCLA and Virginia Tech have never met on the gridiron. The Hokies are playing in a bowl game for the 21st straight season, which ranks second best in the country behind Florida State's 32. Typically Virginia Tech has a dynamite defense and that seems to be the case again this season despite their four losses. The Hokies rank in the Top 10 nationally against the run, scoring, passing efficiency and total defense.

The Bruins have a pretty solid defense themselves with Anthony Barr running the show. UCLA gave up just 24 points per game on average this season, which isn't that bad in the PAC 12. They also finished the season with a plus-9 on the turnover differential. Virginia Tech is pretty solid in that aspect of the game as well, sitting at plus-8 in the turnover differential.

The Hokies give up just 270 yards per game to their opponents. UCLA QB Brett Hundley will have to figure out ways to get the football down the field. Virginia Tech allows just 166 yards per game through the air. But UCLA has big-play wide receivers in Shaq Evans and Devin Fuller.

UCLA runs the ball pretty well and that could be a major part of this game. Virginia Tech has allowed just 104 yards per game to opponents this season and if UCLA can eclipse that number, they'll have a good shot of winning this game.

Virginia Tech is battling some injuries and if they can get Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum back, they could prove to be solid defensive plus for the Hokies. Frank Beamer teams always play well on defense, but we like the UCLA offense to make too many big plays.

Free Pick: UCLA 28, Virginia Tech 17

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