The 2023 Starco Brands LA Bowl has a good matchup set to take place on Saturday night, with the 7-5 UCLA Bruins taking on the Mountain West Champion, 8-5 Boise State Broncos. UCLA has played in 37 bowl games and has a 16-20-1 record in those games with their last bowl win coming in 2014. Boise State has played in 20 bowl games and have a 13-7 record including a win in 8 out of their last 11 bowl appearances dating back to 2010. The Broncos come in on a four game winning streak while UCLA comes in losing three out of their last four overall. The UCLA Bruins come into this one as a 4.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 48.5. With that being said, here is my preview for the 2023 Starco Brands LA Bowl.
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins have been cold in their last four games. With one win in November against a USC team that has given up, the Bruins are looking for some answers here in their bowl matchup. Offensively, they come in averaging 25.8 points per game and average 190.9 rushing yards per game (t-39th in the nation). With having a rotation of quarterbacks, the Bruins have relied on running back Carson Steele tremendously in 2023. Steele has rushed for 847 rushing yards on 5.1 yards per carry and added 6 rushing touchdowns. The Bruins have had four different quarterbacks play this season and with Dante Moore transferring it looks like Ethan Garbers will get the start. Offensively, they are going to rely heavy on the running game but they need Steele to play this week in order for that to happen.
Defensively, the Bruins were great to start the season. They only allow 18.1 points per game and they are ranked 2nd in the country in rushing yards allowed per game. However, they are going to be without some key pieces of their defense. Star edge rusher Laitau Latu, who was the PAC-12 DPOY, is opting out of this game. That is a huge loss to this Bruins defense. They will also be without three of their secondary members as they enter the transfer portal. UCLA is going to need guys to step up if they want to go home with an LA BOWL title.
Boise State Broncos
The Boise State Broncos won the Mountain West Conference title game and have some confidence coming in. However, the Broncos will be without starting quarterback Taylen Green as he enters the transfer portal. Backup quarterback Maddux Madsen is out for the season as well. So, the Broncos will rely on true freshman quarterback CJ Tiller to get the start here. The good news for Tiller is that they have a good rushing attack to back him up. The Broncos average 214.7 rushing yards per game (16th in the nation). This rushing attack is led by running back Ashton Jeanty who rushed for 1,266 rushing yards (12th in the nation) on 6.2 yards per carry and 14 rushing touchdowns. Jeanty also added 552 receiving yards (2nd on the team) and 5 receiving touchdowns. Jeanty is going to have to play a big time role if the Broncos want to win this bowl matchup.
Defensively, the Broncos allow 24.8 points per game and allow 392.1 total yards of offense per game. The Broncos aren’t losing any defensive players in the transfer portal which is huge for them. Boise State has given up 30+ points five times this season and has a 1-4 record in those games. This means they are 7-1 in games where they give up fewer than 30 points in a game. If they can hold Carson Steele and this Bruins offense to under 30 points, they will win this matchup.
Betting Trends
-UCLA is 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
-The under is 6-0 in UCLA’s last six games overall.
-Boise State is 1-5 straight up in their last six games as an underdog.
-Boise State has hit the over in eight out of their last eleven games overall.
The Don’s Best Bet
The game plans for these teams should be similar. Keep the defense off the field as much as possible. I know Boise State is going to start a true freshman, however I like Jeanty to carry a huge load. I’m going to take Boise State +4.5 -110 and under 48.5 -110 for one unit each. I think the defenses are going to show up but I think Boise State has a chance to keep this close and has an even better chance at winning this game outright. Take the two plays here to the cash counter.
