Boise State vs UCLA Prediction Football Picks 12-16-23
Boise State Broncos (8-5) vs UCLA Bruins (7-5)
2023-12-16 19:30:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Boise State Broncos +4 -- Over/Under: 49.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UCLA Bruins and the Boise State Broncos meet in the LA Bowl in college football action from SoFi Stadium on Saturday. Who comes out of this one with an LA Bowl trophy in their case? Let’s dive in and give out a UCLA vs. Boise State Prediction.
UCLA Bruins Team Preview
The UCLA Bruins punched their ticket to the LA Bowl with a 7-5 mark overall this season. Dante Moore has thrown for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 53.5% passing, but has jumped into the Transfer Portal, while Ethan Garbers has thrown for 984 yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 INTs on 66.4% passing. Carson Steele leads the Bruins with 847 rushing yards and 6 TDs while TJ Harden has 722 rushing yards and 6 scores. Logan Loya leads UCLA’s receiving group with 58 grabs for 650 yards and 5 TDs while J. Michael Sturdivant has 455 receiving yards with 3 scores as well. Three more Bruins have 200+ receiving yards while six more Bruins have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. Darius Muasau leads UCLA’s defense with 64 total tackles while Laiatu Latu has a team-high 13 sacks, but has opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. Gabriel Murphy has 7 sacks and Muasau also has 4 sacks while Alex Johnson has a team-high 4 interceptions.
UCLA Bruins Team Facts
- The underdog has won each of UCLA’s last four games.
- The underdog has covered the spread in each of UCLA’s last five games.
- UCLA has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- UCLA has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- Each of UCLA’s last six games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
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Boise State Broncos Team Preview
The Boise State Broncos come into the LA Bowl as Mountain West champions after a 44-20 win over UNLV in the title game brought the Broncos to 8-5 on the year. Taylen Green has thrown for 1,752 yards, 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions on 57.1% passing while Maddux Madsen has thrown for 1,191 yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, but both have entered into the transfer portal. Ashton Jeanty leads the Broncos with 1,262 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns while George Holani’s chipped in another 610 yards and 5 touchdowns. Eric McAlister has a team-high 47 receptions for 873 yards and 5 touchdowns, but is no longer with the team according to reports, while Jeanty has 552 receiving yards on 39 receptions out of the backfield. Billy Bowens also has 360 receiving yards as well on the year for the Broncos. On defense, Alexander Teubner leads the Broncos with 73 total tackles while A’Marion McCoy has a team-high 3 sacks and Ahmed Hassanein has 12.5 sacks. Andrew Simpson has 6.5 sacks as well on the year.
Boise State Broncos Team Facts
- Boise State has won three of its last four games as an underdog at neutral venues.
- The favorite has covered the spread in each of Boise State’s last six games.
- Boise State has won the first quarter in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
- Boise State has lost the first half in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.
- Five of Boise State’s last six games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
UCLA vs. Boise State Prediction
I’m leaning towards UCLA here. Chip Kelly doesn’t have the best record in bowl games, but he at least has a lot more going for him in this game than Boise does, who lost their top two quarterbacks coming into this game. UCLA loses Dante Moore, but Ethan Garbers has been a capable option and if he can’t go, Collin Schlee does have starting experience as well from when he was at Kent State. I think Boise is limited outside of Ashton Jeanty, and I look for UCLA to key in on him and make someone else beat them. Give me UCLA in a lean.