Art of Sport LA Bowl, California vs #24 UNLV: NCAA Football Best Bets (12/18)

Out west in California the Golden Bears are taking on the #24 UNLV Rebels at SoFi Stadium tonight for the Art of Sport LA Bowl. Both of these teams will be playing in a massive stadium out in Inglewood with a chance to end their season with a victory tonight. Of course, will all bowl games, we’ve got to talk transfers and opt outs.

California is most impacted by this, as starting QB Fernando Mendoza, who has thrown for over 3,000 yards this season, is in the portal and will likely sit this game. To make matters worse, back up QB Chandler Rogers was hurt in the regular season finale. If neither plays, they are looking at a 3rd stringer leading the offense tonight.

UNLV’s head coach has left for Purdue, and OC Brennan Marion will not be calling plays after being passed up for the HC job. Instead, Del Alexander, the WR Coach, will be leading the team in this bowl game. Let’s sniff through the mess that is this bowl game and see if we can find ourselves a best bet in the process.

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California Golden Bears vs #24 UNLV Rebels: Art of Sport LA Bowl

Matchup Information – California vs UNLV

• Venue & Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
• Date: Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
• Kick Off: 9:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Betting Odds

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Spread

• California +3.5 (-110)
• UNLV -3.5 (-110)

Money Line

• California +145
• UNLV -165

Total

• Over 46 (-112)
• Under 46 (-108)

Ranked Rebels Looked to End Season with a Win

To make things easier, let me just list all the injured players or those who have already opted out for both sides.

California Golden Bears

• Starting QB Fernando Mendoza (Portal)
• Backup QB Chandler Rogers (Injured)
• Leading WR Nzyiah Hunter (Portal)
• Starting LT Nick Morrow (Injured)
• Starting LG Sioape Vatikani (Injured)
• Starting MLB Cade Uluave (Injured)
• RB Jaivian Thomas (Injured)

If neither of their QBs can go, I expect the Golden Bears to come out with a very rush heavy game plan, which won’t work against UNLV. The Rebels rank 18th in rushing yards allowed per game, and 19th in yards per rush allowed. Unless your name is Ashton Jeanty, you need to throw the ball to beat UNLV.

Let’s look at the Rebels list of opt outs and transfers.

UNLV Rebels

• Starting CB Tony Grimes (Will Play in Bowl)
• LB Jackson Woodard (Will Play in Bowl)
• DB Jalen Caralon
• WR Ricky White (Status Unknown)

Even if White doesn’t play, I see Hajj Malik Williams being able to guide the Rebels offense to a victory against a defense that really isn’t all that. I’m not going to mess with the spread at all, especially with the hook staring me in the face. Instead I’ll do what I do best and pay the juiceman.

California Golden Bears vs #24 UNLV Rebels Best Bets

California vs UNLV Prediction: UNLV Wins & Covers, Under 46

Best Bets: UNLV ML (-160) Bovada

The California defense isn’t anything to write home about, and their offense isn’t that great either. Without Mendoza at the helm, I don’t see the Golden Bears doing much against a very motivated Rebels defense. UNLV lost three games all year, twice to Boise State (who is in the CFP), and an overtime thriller against Syracuse (who had some huge wins this year). They know they are a good football team, and tonight on national television they can win a big one for themselves and the Mountain West as a whole.

Beating a Power 4 opponent in this bowl game would cap off a very successful season for the Rebels, and instill plenty of confidence in the program moving forward.

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