LA Bowl: UCLA vs Boise State Odds, and Picks (Dec 16)

• UCLA lost 33-7 in a brutal final regular season game against California.
• Boise State defeated UNLV, 44-20, for the Mountain West Championship.
• These two teams last met on September 4, 1999, in a game UCLA won 38-7.

The college football season has reached the bowl games! Let’s preview the 2023 LA Bowl between the UCLA Bruins and the Boise State Broncos. Both of these teams are aiming to finish the season with a win.

How to Watch

• ABC

Preview

UCLA dropped to 7-5 on the season following their loss to California, finishing 4-5 in Pac-12 play. It was another subpar result for a Bruins team that is headed to an even tougher Big-10 conference next season. After being outscored 97-62 in their last 4 games, UCLA will aim to end their final season in the Pac-12 on a positive note by winning here. They’ll need their inconsistent offense to avoid any mistakes in this game.

Boise State started the season slow, losing their first two games, and then going 4-5. Despite that record, the Broncos played well in many of those games, losing all but the game against #2 Washington by just one score. Over the last month, they turned that capable play into wins, going 4-0 down the stretch. Boise State capped off that hot streak with a blowout win over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship Game.

Prediction

UCLA’s defense has been their lone advantage this season, and the loss of star pass rusher Laiatu Latu will be crucial. Latu opted-out in favor of staying healthy for the NFL draft, joining other key Bruins defenders. Without their defense to rely on, I don’t like a flailing UCLA’s chances of winning this game. Boise State has been playing their best football of the year down the stretch, and should manage to get the victory here.

NCAAF Picks:

• Boise State 26, UCLA 20 ()