The LA Bowl features a showdown between the California Golden Bears, boasting a record of 6-6, and the No. 19 UNLV Rebels, who have a commendable 10-3 record. The game is set for Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST, with Cal favored by 3 points according to BetMGM’s college football odds.
A key element of this matchup is the contrast in rushing performance. The Golden Bears manage an average of just 3.5 yards per carry, placing them 113th in the nation, while the Rebels have a stronger defensive stance, allowing only 3.5 yards per rushing attempt, ranking 19th in the FBS. When it comes to aerial attacks, UNLV averages 174.5 yards per game, sitting at 121st nationally, whereas Cal ranks 94th, yielding 234.3 passing yards per game.
In their last outing, California suffered a significant defeat, falling 38-6 to SMU on November 30. Quarterback Chandler Rogers completed 8 of 15 passes for a total of 84 yards, without achieving any touchdowns or interceptions. The team’s running game saw Jaydn Ott gain just 37 yards on 13 carries, also registering a negative yardage on one reception. Notably, wide receiver Nyziah Hunter emerged as a key target, accounting for five receptions that totaled 85 yards.
On the other side, UNLV lost to Boise State in their last game, finishing with a score of 21-7 on December 6. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 110 yards, completing only 13 of 28 passes, while also recording one interception. In rushing efforts, he gained 56 yards over 21 attempts. Running back Kylin James made an impressive contribution with 95 rushing yards from just two carries, and receiver Corey Thompson Jr. caught two passes for 32 yards.
Several standout players in this game deserve attention. For California, quarterback Fernando Mendoza ranks 20th in the nation with 3,004 passing yards, completing 68.7% of his passes for a total of 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Additionally, Jaivian Thomas has rushed for 598 yards on 91 carries, scoring seven times, and has also contributed in the passing game with nine receptions for 88 yards. Hunter stands as the leading receiver for the Bears, amassing 578 yards and five touchdowns from 40 catches.
UNLV will look to rely heavily on Hajj-Malik Williams, who has thrown for 1,845 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only five interceptions to his name. He also boasts 824 rushing yards, averaging 63.4 yards per game, with nine touchdowns. Jai’Den Thomas is another significant threat on the ground, contributing 843 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Additionally, Ricky White III, who ranks 18th in college football with 1,041 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, will be a focal point for UNLV’s passing attack.
When examining statistics, California has averaged a scoring margin of 3.9 points per game over their competition this season, while UNLV has a more substantial margin, outscoring its opponents by an average of 14.3 points. California also excels in turnover margins, sitting 10th in the nation with a plus 12 margin, forcing 22 turnovers while committing only 10 themselves. Meanwhile, UNLV has recorded an average of 425.8 total offensive yards per game, placing them 35th in college football, while also ranking 50th defensively, allowing 352 total yards per game.
