Predictions, Picks, and Betting Line for the 2024 LA Bowl Matchup Between Cal and UNLV

• We’ve made our Cal vs UNLV prediction for the LA Bowl on Wednesday night
• The Rebels are field-goal favorites over the Golden Bears at neutral site SoFi Stadium
• Read below for Cal vs UNLV odds, prediction and best bets for this bowl clash

Bowl season rolls along with a tasty Wednesday night matchup between the California Golden Bears and UNLV Rebels in the Art of Sport LA Bowl. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. ET on December 18, 2024 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California with ESPN handling the broadcast duties.

The Rebels have emerged as short 3-point favorites with the total sitting at 47.5 points. There has been notable line movement heading into kickoff due to numerous injuries and opt outs.

Here is our Cal vs UNLV prediction for Wednesday’s LA Bowl.

Cal vs UNLV Odds

The Rebels are currently short 3-point favorites at most books, suggesting a 53.49% chance UNLV wins by at least 4 points. The line movement tells the story of uncertainty and attrition plaguing both programs.

Cal opened as 1.5 to 3-point favorites before news dropped that starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza and top receiver Nyziah Hunter entered the transfer portal and won’t suit up. UNLV then jumped to slight favorites, followed by further line movement toward the Rebels. This is despite UNLV dealing with their own coaching shuffle.

Both squads are shorthanded, but UNLV appears to have more stability, particularly at the all-important quarterback spot.

Golden Bears Betting Analysis

The California offense is an absolute mess right now. The Bears will be without starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza (3,004 yards, 16 TDs) and leading receiver Nzyiah Hunter (578 yards, 5 TDs) after both hit the transfer portal.

Backup QB Chandler Rogers is banged up, leaving redshirt freshman CJ Harris and true freshman EJ Caminong as the likely options under center. Neither has meaningful game experience. Adding to the chaos, Cal just fired offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch.

Justin Wilcox speaking to reporters now. The Cal head coach says CJ Harris and EJ Caminong are taking the QB reps in practice ahead of the LA Bowl with Chandler Rogers dinged up.

The offensive play calling in the bowl game will be “a collaborative effort” Wilcox says.

— Cal Rivals (@CalRivals) December 11, 2024

The Bears will probably lean heavily on their ground game featuring Jaivian Thomas (598 yards, 7 TDs) and Jaydn Ott. However, Ott has struggled to find running lanes this season, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry after a monster 1,305-yard campaign in 2023. The Cal offense sputtered to just 6 points and 254 total yards in their regular season finale without Mendoza.

The silver lining? The Golden Bears boast a sturdy defense that ranks 32nd nationally in scoring (22.2 points allowed per game) and 14th against the run. Linebacker Teddye Buchanan (112 tackles, 5 sacks) and ballhawk safety Nohl Williams (7 interceptions) anchor a unit that should keep Cal within striking distance.

But with so many offensive question marks, moving the chains consistently could be a tall order against UNLV’s stout front seven.

Rebels Betting Analysis

UNLV exceeded expectations this season, posting a 10-3 record, with their only stumbles coming against Boise State (twice) and Syracuse. However, the Rebels are navigating their own turbulence. Head coach Barry Odom has bolted for Purdue, and offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is likely out for the bowl game.

Assistant head coach Del Alexander will steer the ship before new head coach Dan Mullen takes over.

The silver lining for Rebels fans is that quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams is ready to roll. The dual-threat senior has thrown for 1,845 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 824 yards and 9 scores on the ground.

Earned. @hajj_tripping has been named a Captain for our bowl game. pic.twitter.com/0OpRV7R4tf

— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) December 12, 2024

Williams operates behind an offensive line that paves huge holes for a rushing attack averaging 251.3 yards per game. Expect a heavy dose of Jai’Den Thomas (846 yards, 7 TDs) on the ground.

While top target Ricky White III hit the transfer portal, Jacob De Jesus (474 yards) gives Williams a reliable option in the passing game. Still, moving the ball won’t be easy against Cal’s stingy defensive front.

The Rebels’ clear advantage lies on defense. UNLV ranks 35th nationally in scoring defense (21.9 points per game) and 19th against the run, yielding just 3.45 yards per carry.

Linebackers Jackson Woodard (124 tackles) and defensive end Antonio Doyle Jr. (team-high 6 sacks) spearhead a physical front seven built to stuff Cal’s ground game and harass inexperienced quarterbacks.

Cal vs UNLV Prediction

Given the Bears’ quarterback carousel and UNLV’s rock-solid defense, the Rebels are the right side laying less than a field goal. UNLV’s ground-and-pound approach should shorten the game and keep scoring low, making the under 47.5 points worth a look. The Rebels are 7-6 ATS, while the Bears haven’t covered in three straight.

UNLV’s defense has been lights out all year, allowing just 21.9 points per game (35th nationally) and a stingy 3.45 yards per carry. With Cal likely starting a green quarterback behind a patchwork line, points could be hard to come by. The Rebels also have extra juice, hunting their first bowl win since 2000.

“It means a lot.” ❤️

Back in his hometown of LA, @unlvfootball interim head coach Del Alexander was with the Rebels in 2000 – their last bowl game win.

UNLV (10-3) takes on Cal (6-6) Wednesday 6PM. pic.twitter.com/JcPh61rXZm

— Paloma Villicana (@PalomaFOX5News) December 18, 2024

Meanwhile, Cal’s defense has shown cracks lately, giving up 33+ points in three of their last four games. If UNLV establishes the run and lets Williams work his dual-threat magic, the Rebels should control the clock and find enough points to cover the short number.

In a bowl game where both teams are dealing with missing pieces, UNLV simply has more stability – especially with Williams running the show. Look for a defensive struggle, with the Rebels doing just enough to secure a historic bowl victory.

LA Bowl Picks:

• Prediction: UNLV 24, California 17
• Best Bet: UNLV -3 (-105)

The 2024 LA Bowl matchup between the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels is shaping up to be an exciting game for college football fans. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs throughout the season, but they are ready to battle it out on the field for a chance to win the prestigious LA Bowl title.

The California Golden Bears have had a solid season, finishing with a record of 8-4. Their offense has been led by quarterback Chase Garbers, who has thrown for over 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. The Golden Bears also have a strong running game, with running back Christopher Brooks rushing for over 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. On defense, California has been solid, holding opponents to an average of 24 points per game.

On the other side of the field, the UNLV Rebels have had a tougher season, finishing with a record of 5-7. However, they have shown flashes of potential throughout the season, particularly on offense. Quarterback Doug Brumfield has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, while running back Charles Williams has rushed for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Rebels’ defense has struggled at times, giving up an average of 30 points per game.

As for predictions and picks for the game, it looks like the California Golden Bears are the favorites to win. They have a more balanced team on both offense and defense, and they have shown consistency throughout the season. However, the UNLV Rebels should not be counted out, as they have the potential to pull off an upset if they can put together a strong performance on both sides of the ball.

In terms of the betting line, the California Golden Bears are currently favored by 7 points. This means that if you bet on the Golden Bears to win, they would need to win by at least 8 points for you to win your bet. If you bet on the UNLV Rebels to cover the spread, they would need to either win the game outright or lose by less than 7 points for you to win your bet.

Overall, the 2024 LA Bowl matchup between Cal and UNLV is sure to be an exciting game for college football fans. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, but it will ultimately come down to which team can execute their game plan better on game day. Whether you’re rooting for the Golden Bears or the Rebels, this game is sure to be a thrilling matchup that you won’t want to miss.