California and UNLV will enter tonight’s Art of Sport LA Bowl game looking differently from what they were during the regular season.
UNLV already had seen a change at quarterback earlier in the season when Matthew Sluka announced he was leaving the program after a 3-0 start.
Hajj-Malik Williams took over the role and helped lead the Rebels to a 10-3 finish to the season after playing in the Mountain West Championship Game against Boise State. Two of the Rebels’ three losses this season were against Boise State, and the other came early in a nonconference play against Syracuse.
Williams completed 145 of 234 pass attempts for 1,845 yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He is the Rebels’ second-leading rusher with 824 yards and nine touchdowns on 151 carries.
Cal’s offense may feature Chandler Rogers as the starting quarterback tonight after Fernando Mendoza entered the transfer portal. Rogers is dealing with an injury, which means C.J. Harris could get the snaps.
Rogers has seen limited action this season, completing just 12 of 25 pass attempts for 117 yards while rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Both teams will also be without their respective offensive coordinators.
UNLV interim coach Del Alexander mentioned Tuesday that Brennan Marion was not with the team in Southern California. It was later reported that Marion was in talks with Sacramento State on becoming its next head coach.
Cal will also be without Mike Bloesch, who served as offensive coordinator throughout the season.
The kickoff for the Art of Sport L.A. Bowl game between the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, is Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.
The Art of Sport L.A. Bowl game between the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
The UNLV Rebels are the favorites to defeat the California Golden Bears in the Art of Sport LA Bowl, according to the BetMGM college football odds on Wednesday.
Pete Fiutak writes “This one is all about watching to make sure the top Rebels stick around. If so, the defense should dominate a banged up and pieced together Bear line that should be without a few starting parts.”
Reed Wallach writes “Given the looming uncertainty for UNLV along the sidelines and on the field, I’m going with the more trustworthy product in Cal to win the LA Bowl.”
James Fragoza writes, “While the Rebels face coaching uncertainties, their talent edge and high-powered playmakers should give them the upper hand.”
David Anicetti writes, “UNLV will win this matchup with a superior offense that scores an average of 36.2 points per game while its defense holds opponents to 21.9 points per game. California scores 26.1 per game but allows 22.2 per game.”
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