Alamo Bowl 2015: Preview, Predictions for Kansas State vs. UCLA

The Valero Alamo Bowl will pit two of the better Big 12 and Pac-12 squads against one another as the Kansas State Wildcats and the UCLA Bruins will square off in San Antonio. It will be the first top 15 matchup in Alamo Bowl history. 

The game will kick off on January 2 at 6:45 p.m. EST. 

Two of the best quarterbacks in the country will be squaring off as Jake Waters will try to out-duel Brett Hundley. 

With that, let's check out both team's keys to victory and players to watch in the Alamo Bowl. 

Tale of the Tape

As most Bill Snyder teams are, this graphic shows that K-State clearly takes care of itself in most categories. But there's no denying that UCLA does as well. 

Kansas State Keys to Victory

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

1. Establish the Jake Waters-Tyler Lockett dynamic early and often

One of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the nation is Jake Waters and Tyler Lockett. Waters is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 and Lockett is K-State's all-time leader in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. 

On the flipside, UCLA ranks just 86th in the country in pass defense, giving up 243 yards per game. 

K-State needs to exploit that weakness, and they have the talent to do it. 

2. Don't let UCLA deep into your territory

This one seems obvious—you never want a team to drive into your own territory. 

But once UCLA gets into the red zone, they are deadly. The Bruins rank fourth in the nation in red zone efficiency, scoring on 93 percent of their red zone possessions (44-of-47). 

Against Baylor, K-State employed a bend-but-don't-break mentality. They lost. Against UCLA, they need to be more aggressive in their defensive schemes. 

3. Be yourself

Bill Snyder coached teams don't beat themselves. They have the second-fewest turnovers in the nation with just 11, behind only Oregon. 

That's why it's so tough to beat Snyder year in and year out, regardless of how talented the Wildcats are. If K-State can take care of themselves, they'll have a great opportunity. 

UCLA Keys to Victory

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

1. Force the Wildcats to rely on the running game

While Kansas State is usually known for running the ball well, they simply haven't this year. The Wildcats rank just 94th in the FBS with 142 yards on the ground per game.

Instead, they rely on Jake Waters' arm. If UCLA's secondary can force the Wildcats to resort to running the ball by shutting down Tyler Lockett and Curry Sexton, they'll get the upper hand.

2. Allow Brett Hundley to get in a rhythm

Hundley's biggest problem this year has been his offensive line—they've let him get sacked 36 times. Obviously that's not all on the line, but 36 equates to three sacks a game, and that can rattle a quarterback. 

If UCLA can protect against Ryan Mueller and a relentless K-State frontline defense enough to let him settle in, Hundley can expose a depleted Wildcats secondary, which just lost safety Dylan Schellenberg to a broken leg. 

3. Get into the red zone 

Another obvious one, and we double back to the same point made in the K-State keys to victory. The Wildcats want the Bruins out of the red zone, and UCLA wants in. 

They're on of the best teams in the nation at converting inside the red zone, scoring on 44-of-47 possessions this year. 

K-State likes to play conservative at times defensively, and that could play right into UCLA's hands. 

Kansas State Players to Watch

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

QB Jake Waters

Very quietly, Waters has been one of the nation's best quarterbacks. In his senior year in the Little Apple, Waters tossed for 3,163 yards, 20 touchdowns and just six picks. 

He's also developed a Collin Klein-esque approach to the position, rushing for 471 yards and eight touchdowns despite being thought of as primarily a passer. 

WR Tyler Lockett

Lockett may not be the best receiver in college football, but he may be the most dynamic player. 

Not only is he K-State's all-time leader in every major category for receivers, he's also perhaps the most dangerous return man in the game. 

Over the course of the year, he's hauled in 1,351 yards on 93 receptions. He also has caught nine touchdowns and scored two more on punt returns. 

WR Curry Sexton

While Lockett dominates the attention in the receiving corps for K-State, Lockett's very capable partner-in-crime this season has been Curry Sexton. 

The senior has 955 yards and five touchdowns 69 catches this year. All despite being just 5'11" and 183 pounds. 

UCLA Players to Watch

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

QB Brett Hundley

Hundley is one of the most oft-critiqued players on UCLA's roster. When UCLA wins big, he's the hero. When they falter, he's the scapegoat. 

But, an important question to ask is where would the Bruins be this year without him? Hundley has racked up 3,019 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air while throwing just five interceptions—all very similar numbers to those of Waters, who he'll face off against. 

RB Paul Perkins

Perkins doesn't dominate the headlines in Los Angeles, but he's still a very quality back. He's rushed for 1,378 yards and seven touchdowns this season—both are very respectable numbers. 

He also has a knack for having great games under the brightest lights, rushing for over 100 yards against Texas, Arizona State, Oregon and Stanford this year. 

LB Eric Kendricks 

Projected to be a third round NFL draft pick by CBS Sports, Kendricks is plug for this Bruins defense. On the year, he's racked up a whopping 135 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, two sacks and three interceptions. 

Expect him to disrupt some of the timing and patience that K-State utilizes on offense. 

What They're Saying

Eric Risberg/Associated Press

Kansas State Head Coach Bill Snyder, per K-State Athletics: 

"

"We are proud of the young men in our program and very pleased to represent the Big 12 Conference in the Valero Alamo Bowl," said Snyder. "Our team still has a chance to accomplish something special this season and finish the year with 10 victories. The Alamo Bowl is a first-class bowl organization and we appreciate Derrick Fox and the entire bowl staff for their efforts and support of college football."

"

UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora, per Tom Orsborn of San Antonio Express-News: 

"

"We think it'll be a classic matchup. We're beyond excited to come to San Antonio."

"It will help a young developing team develop even further."

 

"

Prediction

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

This game will undoubtedly be one of the best ones outside of the top six bowl games, and should draw huge ratings and some fireworks on the field. 

But this game will be K-State's to lose. UCLA's secondary won't be up to task to slow down Waters and Lockett, and that'll do them in. 

The Wildcats' fans travel well, and they'll be closer geographically so that'll favor the Wildcats. And in a game where both teams look pretty equal on paper, it'll come down to coaching. 

You got to take Bill Snyder over Jim Mora any day.