The 2023 LA Bowl features the 7-5 UCLA Bruins against the 8-5 Boise State Broncos. Here is the 2023 LA Bowl Preview.
UCLA Bruins (7-5)
UCLA won seven games to make their third straight bowl game. They have wins over two bowl-eligible teams: Coastal Carolina and USC. Their only loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game this season was to Arizona State.
The Bruins score 25.8 points per game, which ranks 77th in the country. They pass for 229.1 yards (ranked 60th) and rush for 191.1 yards per game (ranked 22nd).
Dante Moore had been starting at quarterback for UCLA, but he is now in the transfer portal. Ethan Garbers will likely play quarterback in this game after passing for 984 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on 66.4 percent completion. Five pass catchers have at least 200 receiving yards on the year. Logan Loya has been the top receiver on the team with 58 receptions for 650 yards and five touchdowns.
Two running backs have contributed most of the work out of the backfield for the Bruins. Carson Steele, the Ball State transfer, has rushed for 847 yards and six touchdowns. T.J. Harden has also played well with 722 yards and six touchdowns.
Defensively, the Bruins concede 18.1 points per game, ranking them 15th in the country. They give up 69.6 rushing yards (ranked first) and 229.4 passing yards per game (ranked 71st). Linebacker Darius Muasau leads the team with 64 total tackles. Laiatu Latu was one of the best pass rushers in the country with 13 sacks. Alex Johnson has displayed solid ball skills with three passes defended and four interceptions.
Boise State Broncos (8-5)
Boise State won eight games to make their third straight bowl game. One of their five losses was to a non-bowl-eligible team in Colorado State. They defeated five bowl-eligible teams: San Jose State, Wyoming, Utah State, Air Force and UNLV.
The Broncos score 32.9 points per game, ranking them 32nd in the country. They pass for 229.3 yards (ranked 59th) and rush for 214.8 yards per game (ranked seventh).
Taylen Green was the starting quarterback for Boise State, but he’s in the transfer portal. That means Maddux Madsen is in line to start. He has passed for 1,191 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on 61.4 percent completion. Five pass-catchers have over 200 receiving yards for the Broncos this season. Top receiver Eric McCallister is in the transfer portal. Running back Ashton Jeanty is the active leader in receiving yards with 552 yards and five touchdowns.
Jeanty also carries the load of the work in the running game. He has 1,262 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Behind him, George Holani has plenty of experience with 610 yards and five touchdowns.
The defense allows 24.4 points per game, ranking them 53rd in the country. They give up 123.6 rushing yards (ranked 30th) and 251.9 passing yards per game (ranked 111th). Safety Alexander Tuebner leads the team with 73 total tackles. Defensive end Ahmed Hassanein has 12.5 sacks for the team lead. A’Marion McCoy has made an impact in the secondary with four passes defended and three interceptions.
Prediction
With Boise State having some of their key members in the transfer portal, UCLA can utilize their talent and depth to get the win. Garbers has enough experience to take advantage of Boise State’s lackluster pass defense.
UCLA Bruins 35 Boise State Broncos 24
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/college-football/2023-la-bowl-preview/2023/12/06/
