LA Bowl: UCLA vs. Boise State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Broncos, Bruins Put Up Points in LA Bowl?
The UCLA Bruins will get a hometown crowd when they take on the Boise State Broncos from SoFi Stadium. Can the Bruins and Broncos muster some points, or will the LA Bowl end up as a low-scoring clash? Matthew MacKay provides his pick on the total between UCLA and Boise State.
Matt MacKay - December 11, 2023, 11:20 AM EST
5 minLA Bowl: UCLA vs. Boise State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Broncos, Bruins Put Up Points in LA Bowl?
The 2023 LA Bowl features a local program, the UCLA Bruins, going up against the Boise State Broncos at SoFi Stadium on Saturday night.
We're in store for a Power 5 opponent facing a non-Power 5 team that finished its season 4-0 down the stretch. Oddsmakers are still favoring UCLA -2.5 ATS, but Boise State is a small underdog at +108 odds on FanDuel. Quarterback Taylen Green and running back Ashton Jeanty are a potent one-two punch out of the Broncos' backfield, so there should be plenty of fireworks on display on a fast track like SoFi Stadium.
NCAAF handicapper Matt MacKay gives us his latest prediction and pick for UCLA vs. Boise State ahead of the 2023 LA Bowl.
UCLA VS. BOISE STATE START DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: ABC and ESPN+
UCLA VS. BOISE STATE ODDS
- Spread: UCLA -2.5 (-110), Boise State +2.5 (-110)
- Total Odds: Under 49.5 (-110), Over 49.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: UCLA (-130), Boise State (+108)
UCLA VS. BOISE STATE INJURY REPORT
UCLA
Questionable: WR Kam Brown (Undisclosed)
Out: NA
BOISE STATE
Questionable: NA
Out: QB Maddux Madsen (Leg)
UCLA VS. BOISE STATE PREDICTION
As mentioned during the introduction, Taylen Green has been a hyper-efficient dual-threat quarterback for Boise State. Green struggled early, but leveraged his mobility and skillset as a ball carrier to grind out production on the ground.
Green scored three rushing touchdowns in his final two games, ripping eight carries for 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns during rivalry week against a good UNLV defense. Ashton Jeanty's presence in the backfield helps Green, as Jeanty has recorded over 200 carries, averaging 6. 2 YPC, while totaling 19 touchdowns for the Broncos.
UCLA's defense is built to stop the run though, allowing only three total rushing touchdowns all season. The Bruins' 33-7 loss to Cal during rivalry week undoubtedly left a sour taste in their mouth, so expect head coach Chip Kelly to have his team ready to compete in their hometown. However, UCLA's offense, after a red-hot start, cooled off down the stretch, scoring 10 or fewer points in three of its final four regular season games.
Boise State's defense is built to stop the pass, opposite of UCLA's defense, but it's a good strength to possess facing UCLA's anemic rushing attack. The Bruins only logged one rushing touchdown across their final four games, averaging under 4.0 YPC in two of these contests.
Essentially, both of these defenses are built to stop their opponent's strength on offense. This is why oddsmakers have set the current point total to 49.5, with -110 odds in either direction. Boise State has a 9-4 record for point total overs this season, while UCLA is 10-2 in favor of the under. Something has to give here.
Outside of facing USC's porous defense, UCLA has been unable to score more than 10 points since the start of November. Conversely, Boise State's offense hasn't faced a defense in the Mountain West comparable to UCLA, which is why they have racked up so many points during their four-game winning streak.
It's fun to bet point total overs, but the value here is on under 49.5 total points. UCLA's offensive struggles, paired with a strong defense capable of stopping the run, which Boise State excels at offensively, means we're in store for a final score like 28-17 or 24-20. Let's enjoy this slugfest and cash under 49.5 total points while watching the 2023 LA Bowl.
UCLA VS. BOISE STATE PICK
- Under 49.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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