California Golden Bears vs. UNLV Rebels 2024 LA Bowl Odds, Time, and Prediction

The California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels are the two 2024 LA Bowl teams that will lock horns on Wednesday, December 18, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Judging by the LA Bowl odds, the 2024 game will be a real thriller, the winner of which will probably be decided by a single field goal. 

That’s what bookies think, but what are our expert LA Bowl 2024 predictions? For that, you need to keep on reading!

California Golden Bears vs. UNLV Rebels 2024 LA Bowl Odds

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When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California
• Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: ESPN

California Golden Bears Seen as Slight LA Bowl Favorite

Cal finished the season at 6-6, which sounds worse than it actually is. The thing is that this was an improvement compared to their previous couple of seasons. In fact, this was the Golden Bears’ best record since 2019.

What is sort of disappointing is that their record in ACC play was 2-6. The Bears were not ranked in the final AP regular-season poll or the coaches’ poll, which is proof that this team hasn’t really been a world-beater in 2024.

In their final game of the regular NCAAF season, Cal suffered a tough 38-6 road loss to SMU. The Mustangs – the 11^th seed in the national playoffs – proved too much for a Cal squad missing their first-choice quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.

But Mendoza is no longer on the injury list. He’s active and expected to feature in the UNLV vs. Cal LA Bowl 2024. Of course, that’s only possible if he doesn’t enter the transfer portal before. We’re sure Cal’s fans have their fingers crossed he won’t.

UNLV’s 2024 Coach Won’t Be at SoFi Stadium on December 18

UNLV capped off a strong season with a 10-3 record, including a 6-1 mark in Mountain West play. Their final game of the campaign, however, ended in a soul-crushing defeat to Boise State 21-7 in the Mountain West Championship Game.

More bad news has come their way since. Barry Odom, UNLV’s head coach this season, decided to move to Purdue straight away. The result is that he won’t be leading the Rebels in the 2024 LA Bowl.

Additionally, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is expected to follow in Odom’s footsteps and go to Purdue. As a result, wide receivers coach Del Alexander will serve as the interim head coach in the December 18 game.

As if all that wasn’t bad enough, uncertainty surrounds the availability of a couple of UNLV players for the LA Bowl. The thing is that some athletes are expected to opt-out or enter the transfer portal in the next couple of days.

UNLV has already seen one major departure when starting cornerback Tony Grimes decided to enter the transfer portal.

California Golden Bears vs. UNLV Rebels 2024 LA Bowl Prediction

UNLV appears to be the stronger team overall, but there are so many things going in the favor of the California Golden Bears that we think they’re going to win the 2024 LA Bowl.

The Golden Bears play in their hometown, and the atmosphere is great in their locker room given that they’ve had their best season in five years. Plus, they’re determined to end the 2024 campaign with a good performance.

Still, the No. 1 reason why we think they’re going to win on December 18 is that they’ll have their coach by their side. The Rebels won’t.

Pick: California Golden Bears