Bowl Mania: Los Angeles Bowl

Los Angeles Bowl 2023

When: Saturday, December 16th @ 7:30 PM ET

Where: Los Angeles, California

Who: Boise State (8-5) vs. UCLA (7-5)

Spread & Total: UCLA -6.5; O/U 46.5

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Tale of the Take: Boise State Broncos

2023 appeared to be a promising start in the Andy Avalos era at Boise State. The Broncos were 17-9 since he arrived, including a trip to the Mountain West Championship and bowl game win in 2022. But the Broncos came out of the gates slow, losing their first two at Washington and home against Central Florida. This lackluster start rolled into conference play, where the Broncos found themselves at 4-5 and just 3-2 in conference play in early November. After a win over New Mexico, Boise State decided to part ways with Avalos. Spencer Danielson took over the helm, and it was just the spark the Broncos needed. Boise State closed 2-0, outscoring Utah State and Air Force 72-29. This punched their ticket to the Mountain West title game, where the took care of business against UNLV, 44-20.

Offensively, Boise State beats opponents on the ground. And given the transfer portal and injury news heading into this game, expect that to continue. They have the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in the backfield. Ashton Jeanty is a do-it-all back who will be relied heavily in this matchup. He has over 1,800 yards and 19 touchdowns on 242 touches this year.

Defensively, Boise State can be beat through the air. However, teams don’t tend to throw for six on this defense. They allow 1.2 passing touchdowns per game, top-25 in the country. Their 36 sacks is tied for the 11th-most in the country. The Broncos allow 3.9 YPC on the ground.

Injuries:

QB Maddux Madsen

Backup to Taylen Green

WR Stefan Cobb

4th on team with 23 receptions, 241 yards

WR Chase Perry

Questionable with an undisclosed injury

 

Transfer Portal Departures:

QB Taylen Green

Two year starter; 59.4% completion rate, 3,794 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, 15 interceptions. Over 1,000 career rushing yards in his two years at Boise State

WR Eric McAlister

Team’s leading receiver (47 receptions, 873 yards, five touchdowns)

DE Kivon Wright

S Keenan McCaddy

 

Players to Know:

#0 QB CJ Tiller

Third-string quarterback replacing Green and Madsen. True freshman with zero attempts this season

#12 RB Ashton Jeanty

2023 All-Mountain West First Team Offense. Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Leads the team with 203 carries, 1,262 yards (12th nationally) and 14 touchdowns. 359 carries, 2,083 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in his two seasons at Boise State. 39 receptions, 552 receiving yards are second on the team; five receiving touchdowns is tied for the most. 

#91 Ahmed Hassanein

2023 All-Mountain West First Team Defense. 12.5 sacks leads team and ranks 6th nationally. Two forced fumbles

Preview: New Orleans Bowl

Tale of the Tape: UCLA Bruins

The Bruins found themselves in the middle of the best top-to-bottom conference this year. UCLA found themselves ranked multiple times this year, but went 2-3 when ranked. The rumors eventually started to swirl around the status of head coach Chip Kelly, who was rumored to be fired after the USC game. That changed course when UCLA knocked off their cross-town rival 38-20. However, a season finale loss at Cal may have him on the hot seat yet again. UCLA went 2-4 against bowl eligible teams this year.

Offensively, the Bruins have a duo of running backs who lead the charge on the ground. Carson Steele and TJ Harden have combined for over 300 carries, over 1,550 yards, and 12 touchdowns for the Bruins. UCLA completed just 57.1% of their pass attempts, but expected starter Ethan Garbers exceeded that mark (66.4%). The combined 14 interceptions is tied for the 15th-most in the country.

Defensively, the Bruins are the top run defense in the country. Opponents average just 2.3 YPC, the third best mark in the country. The three rushing touchdowns allowed is the fewest in FBS. However, this is based on the 5th fewest rush attempts (359; 29.9 attempts per game). UCLA’s pass defense is where opponents try their luck; the Bruins saw 429 pass attempts this season (35.6/game; 8th most nationally). Opposing quarterbacks complete just 60.8% of their attempts and average 6.4 YPA, 19th nationally. Their 14 interceptions is tied for the 15th-most nationally. UCLA’s defensive coordinator did leave for the same position at USC this offseason.

Opt Outs:

EDGE Laiatu Latu

Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. 13 sacks is tied for 4th most nationally. Two interceptions, two forced fumbles. Third most tackles on the team (49; 28 solo)

Injuries: N/A

Transfer Portal Departures:

QB Dante Moore

True freshman starting quarterback. 53.5% completion percentage. 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions

CB John Humphrey

Two interceptions, three pass breakups. Forced two fumbles, recovered one

S Kamari Ramsey

One interception, four pass breakups

WR Kam Brown

WR Keegan Jones

TE Carsen Ryan

IOL Jake Wiley

S William Nimmo

Player to Know:

#4 QB Ethan Garbers

Rotated quarterback duties with Moore. Completed 66.4% of his attempts, nine touchdowns, three interceptions

#53 LB Darius Muasau

All-Pac-12 Second Team Defense. 64 total tackles (37 solo) led the team. Four sacks, five pass breakups, one interception

#20 LB Kain Medrano

All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention. Second to Muasau in tackles (52; 28 solo). Two sacks, one pass breakup and forced fumble

Bowl Game Trends:

• Mountain West: 2-0 in the Los Angeles Bowl against the Pac-12
• UCLA: Last bowl win came in 2014

Game Synopsis:

Both teams are without their primary quarterback for this one. But the difference is one has a true freshman third-stringer, while the other has an experienced junior who is 4-1 when starting and finishing a game this year. UCLA’s defense is stout at stopping the run, and that is what Boise State should heavily depend on. Spencer Danielson has found some great momentum in his short time as Boise State’s head coach. But beating this UCLA defense, with a true freshman with no experience, will be his toughest test to date. I like the Bruins to win the Los Angeles Bowl.

Bowl Mania Pick To Win: UCLA

Bowl Mania Confidence: 14/43

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