College football teaser for Friday 12/30

Bowl season continues this weekend, and we've got a teaser that includes two Friday games to close out the 2022 calendar year. Pittsburgh is down its best defensive player, its starting running back and its starting quarterback, while Notre Dame is without arguably the best tight end in the country and its starting quarterback, so we're taking both team's opponents.   

Pittsburgh takes on UCLA in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, and without RB Israel Abanikanda, QB Kedon Slovis and DL Caligah Kancey, the Panthers have little to no shot of winning. Abanikanda rushed for over 1,400 yards this season and decided to sit out to prepare for the NFL Draft, and defensive tackle Kancey was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and has also decided to opt-out to focus on the NFL Draft. Meanwhile Slovis led the Panthers in every passing category and has elected to enter the transfer portal. Not exactly an ideal time for Pitt to be playing a 9-3 UCLA team that averaged just under 40 points a game and was third in the nation in yards per game. 

But that’s not even the worst of it. UCLA is expected to be pretty close to full strength and with the Bruins just needing to win to cover on the teaser, taking the Bruins is the way to go. This game could be close for a little bit simply because UCLA has struggled at times defensively, but still, with Pitt missing arguably its best three best players, the Panthers simply can't be trusted.

As for the final leg of our teaser, take the South Carolina Gamecocks (+8.5) via the teaser against the Irish in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Michael Mayer is ranked the top tight end in the country and won't play as he prepares for the NFL Draft and starting quarterback Drew Pyne has entered the transfer portal after having an up-and-down season. And considering Notre Dame has had its fair share of offensive struggles this season, expecting much from the Irish without Mayer and Pyne is asking a lot. 

South Carolina is also without a few key players, but after starting SEC play 0-2, the Gamecocks closed out the regular season with back-to-back wins over top-10 teams. Quarterback Spencer Rattler is playing his best football yet, and even though Notre Dame's defense is solid, we're not sure Notre Dame can score enough to cover the eight-point spread. Don't be completely shocked if South Carolina wins this game outright, but with the teaser giving you an additional eight points on the spread, only a fool would pass on the Gamecocks.

The Teaser: UCLA (-6) to (0) AND South Carolina (+2.5) to (+8.5) (+103 odds via Barstool)

Bet $100 to win $103