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The second annual Jimmy Kimmel Los Angeles Bowl pits the Pac 12 versus the Mountain West. In the debut saw Utah State emerge victorious over Oregon State, 24-13.
When: Saturday, December 17th @ 3:30 PM ET
Where: Los Angeles, California
Who: Washington State vs. Fresno State
Spread & Total: Fresno State -4; O/U 53
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Tale of the Tape: Washington State Cougars
A clean slate in non-conference, including a win over then-ranked #19 Wisconsin, was just what the doctor ordered for Washington State and newcomer Cam Ward. However, the heart of a tough Pac 12 schedule was on the horizon. A blown 4th-quarter lead to Oregon started the slide, losing four of five in conference play. Three-straight wins over the bottom tier teams helped clinch a bowl berth in November, but a loss in the Apple Cup to Washington ended their conference play below five-hundred.
Linebacker Daiyan Henley will not be playing in the bowl. Henley leads the team in total tackles (106) and sacks (four). He has accounted for four turnovers (three forced fumbles and one interception). Defensive coordinator Brian Ward joined the Arizona State staff this offseason and will not participate in the bowl game.
Transfer Portal Departures:
WR De’Zhaun Stribling (team’s leading receiver)
WR Donovan Ollie (3rd on team in receiving yards)
LB Francisco Mauigoa (60 tackles (4th on team), 3.5 sacks (t-3rd on team)
LB Travion Brown (49 tackles, 6th on team)
Players to Know: QB Cam Ward
A transfer from Incarnate Word, Ward amassed 23 passing touchdowns to eight interceptions. Also accounted for five of team’s 16 rushing touchdowns. Was sacked 40 times, tied for 3rd most nationally.
DB Jaden Hicks
First defensive Freshman All-American at Washington State since 2016. Second on team with 68 total tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Tale of the Tape: Fresno State Bulldogs
A tale of two seasons for Fresno State. Quarterback Jake Haener left the game against USC in the 2nd quarter; they lost that game, and lost the next two with replacement Logan Fife. Fife did manage to win his last two starts against New Mexico and San Jose State. But when Haener returned, it was all systems go for Fresno State. Fresno State closed the season winning their final six games by an average margin of 20.3 PPG.
Transfer Portal Departures:
WR Josh Kelley (over 1,000 receiving yards in career)
DB Cale Sanders Jr. (six pass breakups and two forced fumbles)
Player to Know: QB Jake Haener
Team was 7-2 in games Haener played. 18 passing touchdowns to just three interceptions. Hasn’t turned the ball over in his last five starts.
CB Cam Lockridge
Named Defensive MVP in the Mountain West Championship game (two interceptions). Five total interceptions on the year with one returned for a touchdown. The junior has eight career interceptions and has returned two for touchdowns.
Bowl Game Trends:
- 2021 Bowl records by conference: Pac 12 – 0-5; Mountain West: 5-1
- Fresno State head coach Jeff Tadford is 7-3 in bowl games, 2-0 at Fresno State.
Game Synopsis:
Both teams are pass heavy; Washington State ranks 18th in pass attempts while Fresno State ranks 30th. Yet, the strength of Fresno State’s defense is with their pass defense; 14 passing touchdowns allowed ranks tied for 19th nationally. Washington State’s is bend-don’t-break, only allowing 17 passing touchdowns, but ranking bottom-20 nationally in yards allowed. Plus, the Cougars are without their top receiver Stribling and multiple defensive standouts. Washington State has not won a game this year by allowing 21 or more points; Fresno State has scored that in each of the eight games Haener has started and completed.
Bowl Mania Pick: Fresno State
Bowl Mania Confidence: 34/43
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