California Golden Bears (6-6) vs. UNLV Rebels (10-3)
California Golden Bears vs. UNLV Rebels December 18 2024 – The highly anticipated NCAAF LA Bowl will take place at the Sofi Stadium with the clash of the California Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels. California has a record of 6-6 while UNLV stands at an excellent 10-3. Both teams have an interesting story: as California continues to under perform, UNLV is on it’s way to become the next big thing in football, making this match up worth watching.
California Golden Bears vs. UNLV Rebels December 18 2024 Game Info
| When: | Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | SoFi Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
California Golden Bears vs. UNLV Rebels Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| California Golden Bears | -170 | -3 (-105) | Over 51.5 (-110) |
| UNLV Rebels | +145 | +3 (-115) | Under 51.5 (-110) |
The odds makers have opened Golden Bears as a slight 3-point pick misses though Unlv’s record ats being 10-3 against the spread as’ underdog should make them an interesting pick. Bettors also need to take into account UNLV’s dismal showing in December for possible embarrassment value or the upset opportunities. With the game total set at 51.5, we expect a low scoring game which is in tandem with California’s UNDER trends.
Chandler Rogers QB vs. Hajj-Malik Williams QB
Chandler Rogers has had a slow start for the California Golden Bears this season, and this shows in his stats of 117 passing yards, 0 touchdowns and a completion rate of 48 percent. He seems to grapple with throwing the ball deeper as evident by his 4.7 yards per attempt, along with getting sacked four times, proving that he is struggling due to his offensive line. He has not been able to use his potential at the level required. This inconsistency along with his decision-making, might hurt against a pass rush like UNLV’s. For the game to be competitive, he will have to limit turnovers, improve himself and better understand how to pass the ball to playmakers such as Nyziah Hunter.
For UNLV, Hajj Malik Williams has been nothing but a breath of fresh air, providing the team with passing yards of 1845 along with 17 touch downs. He has been a huge asset in a number of ways, including field stretching, which is necessary for the offense of the rebels, who have a 62% completion rate for their offensive players. No player is infallible, and Williams has faced 26 sacks, but he has shown great strength in stumbling and bouncing back with tough throws. This gives his receiver, Ricky White III, a chance to make a play. Due to Williams being a dual-threat with a perfect pocket presence makes him hard to get past, so California’s defense will need to contain him or else UNLV will dominate.
California’s Key Performers Lead Late Season Push
California’s latest 3-2 record has been permeated by plenty of entertaining and disappointing their fair share of nail-biting encounters. While Jaydn Ott continues to be important, recording four rushing touchdowns, his average of 2.9 yards per carry indicates a lack of efficiency. Nyziah Hunter’s electrifying growth to 578 receiving yards and five touchdowns, however, gives the Bears an important weapon. Their last game against Oregon State, which ended with a 44-7 score in favor of California, demonstrates their potential at moments when everything goes right for them.
UNLV Rebels Dominate in Final Stretch
A comprehensive victory that highlighted their attack and defense came during their sixth victory against Nevada, where UNLV has dominated the ball and now has a six-game winning streak. Williams is well supported by Jai’Den Thomas with 846 rushing yards and Ricky White III with 1,041 receiving yards. The recent victories for UNLV also recall their pass advantages on the teams, particularly Miss White, who has achieved 11 touchdowns in the season.
California Golden Bears Betting Trends
California is 11-2 SU as favorites, making their -3 spread appealing. Their UNDER trends (10 of the last 15 games) reflect a conservative scoring pattern. However, inconsistency against the spread (2-4 ATS in last six games) raises caution.
UNLV Rebels Betting Trends
UNLV’s stellar 10-3 ATS record as underdogs stands out. Despite a strong SU record (6-1 in the last seven games), their December woes (0-5 SU) could be a red flag. The Rebels’ balanced offense and defense make them dangerous, but they must overcome historical struggles this time of year.
California Golden Bears vs. UNLV Rebels Betting Previews
Rebels have pretty solid chances of winning despite being classified as underdogs as their overall offensive performance is better and currently they seem to have strong momentum as well. However, the quarterback situation for the Golden Bears doesn’t add in much confidence. Considering the recent form of both teams and also the low scoring nature of the Golden Bears, UNDER (51.5) seems to be a good bet.
The line of +3 for UNLV does provide some advantages; however, some risk-averse bettors might want to consider the moneyline as an option due to the increased returns. It will be interesting to bet for Jai’Den Thomas with respect to his rushing yards and Ricky White III for his receiving touchdowns.
Score Prediction: UNLV Rebels 27, California Golden Bears 24.
