NCAA Football
2024-12-18 - UNLV Rebels at California Golden Bears
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : College Football- LA Bowl
Wednesday 18th December 2024 - Scheduled 9pm
2am (British Time)
Preview
If the ball had bounced the right way, the California Golden Bears (6-6) might have had double digit wins on the board and perhaps challenged for a spot in the ACC Championship Game and, eventually, the College Football Playoff. It really does feel like a season of what might have been for the Golden Bears after leaving the Pac-12 Conference, and one that has resulted in some key players deciding to leave.
Starting Quarter Back Fernando Mendoza and the leading Wide Receiver Nyziah Hunter have decided they will leave California in between seasons and that means a bit of inexperience in the starting team for this game. To make matters tougher, the Golden Bears have changed Offensive Co-Ordinator too and the oddsmakers have basically removed the spread and set the game as pick 'em.
The Golden Bears face the UNLV Rebels (10-3) who have come through adversity this season and not allowed the team to suffer by decisions made by others. The official starting Quarter Back left the team early on after deciding the Rebels had not paid him as much as promised, but the team rallied together and reached the Mountain West Championship Game, which meant being one win away from reaching the new expanded Playoff themselves.
Ultimately they were beaten by the Boise State Broncos, but there is still a strong motivation to finish well and end the season with eleven wins.
The Rebels have lost their Head Coach who has joined Purdue, but this has been a season in which they have continued to fight back from tough situations and they can show more of that here.
Unlike California, UNLV will have plenty of experience on the field with Hajj-Malik Williams at Quarter Back and with the likes of Ricky White playing despite looking to enter the NFL Draft.
There will be challenges for UNLV who have an Offensive unit that wants to run the ball, but facing a Golden Bears Defensive Line that have played tough up front. Struggles in the Secondary are perhaps less concerning against the Rebels, but Hajj-Malik Williams will want to show off a little bit more of his arm after the Championship Game and he does have playmakers around him that can expose a California team that may not be as focused.
Having the majority of the top names available on the Defensive side of the ball is perhaps even more important for the Rebels who have played well here all season. They have a team capable of clamping down on the run and a Secondary that benefits from the pass rush pressure when holding team to third and long situations.
All of that could be in play on Wednesday in the LA Bowl and especially with the Golden Bears likely using a couple of Quarter Backs splitting time. The Offensive Line has not offered a lot of protection to whoever has been behind Center and it could be a tough game for the Golden Bears Offensively against an opponent that perhaps has a bit more motivation.
Those factors are key and the UNLV Rebels may edge this Bowl Game and put a bow on a really strong season.
Prediction
The line is down to a Pick 'Em in places, but the money is shifting to the UNLV Rebels who have been asked to lay a point in others.
Get on the Rebels here to win outright.
The Pick :
California Golden Bears 17-27 UNLV Rebels
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back UNLV Rebels (PK) at -105 with BetOnline
