UNLV (10-2) vs California (6-6)
Game Info: Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 9:00 pm (SoFi Stadium)
Betting Odds: UNLV -1 / California +1 --- Over/Under: 51.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN
The Cal Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels battle in the LA Bowl in college football action from SoFi Stadium on Wednesday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cal vs. UNLV prediction.
Cal Recap
The Cal Golden Bears come into this bowl game on behalf of the ACC after finishing with a 6-6 overall record this season, their first in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Golden Bears Looking To Make Noise In Second Straight Bowl Game
Fernando Mendoza has thrown for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on 68.7% passing but has hit the transfer portal while Jaivian Thomas has 598 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Kadarius Calloway’s rushed for 124 yards while Jaydn Ott has 301 rushing yards and 4 TDs as well on the year. Jack Endries has a team-high 49 receptions for 562 yards and 2 touchdowns while Nyziah Hunter has 40 receptions for 578 yards and 5 touchdowns. Trond Grizzell has 401 receiving yards while Jonathan Brady has 386 receiving yards and two more receivers have 200+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Teddye Buchanan has a team-high 112 total tackles with 5 sacks while Xavier Carlton has a team-high 9 sacks on the year. Nohl Williams has a team-high 7 interceptions this year while Marcus Harris has a pair of interceptions. As a team, Cal’s defense has combined for 32 sacks and 17 interceptions on the year.
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- The favorite has won each of UNLV's last eight games.
- California has covered the spread in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
- UNLV has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games in December.
UNLV Recap
The UNLV Rebels come into this bowl game repping the Mountain West after finishing with a 10-3 overall record including a loss to Boise State in the Mountain West title game.
Rebels Looking To Make Amends For Last Year’s Bowl Loss
Hajj-Malik Williams has thrown for 1,845 yards, 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 62% passing while also rushing for 824 yards and 9 touchdowns. Jai’Den Thomas has 846 rushing yards with 7 TDs and Kylin James has 616 rushing yards with 4 scores as well on the year. Ricky White III leads the Rebels with 79 grabs for 1,041 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns and Jacob De Jesus has 474 receiving yards so far this season. On defense, Jackson Woodard leads the Rebels with 124 total tackles and 3.5 sacks and 4 interceptions while Jalen Catalon has a team-high 5 interceptions. Antonio Doyle Jr. also has 5 sacks as well on the year. As a team, UNLV has combined for 37 sacks and 17 interceptions so far this season.
Why the UNLV Rebels will win
- California has lost each of its last 12 games against AP-ranked teams.
- UNLV has won each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- UNLV has covered the spread in 13 of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents.
Cal vs. UNLV Prediction
I’m on UNLV here. There’s a lot at play on both sides, with a couple of key names in UNLV’s coaching staff gone like Barry Odom and Brennan Marion, while Cal lost starting QB Fernando Mendoza. That being said, I think UNLV’s got more continuity here with Williams leading the offense and this is probably going to be a run-heavy approach for Cal against a UNLV defense that was solid against the run this season. Give me the Rebels here.
Chris’s Pick UNLV -1
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
