The Boise State Broncos take on the Washington Huskies on Saturday in the LA Bowl. The game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET in Los Angeles, California.
The Huskies are listed as 9.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 52.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction, and best bet for the LA Bowl.
Boise State vs. Washington prediction, preview
Boise State Preview
It has been a down season by Boise State standards, despite winning the Mountain West once again. Boise State aims to take that College Football Playoff Group of Five slot every season in the new era of the CFP, just like they did last season. However, Boise State wasn’t able to make it this season, despite two Group of Five champions making the field. Starting quarterback Maddux Madsen missed four games towards the end of the season, two of which Boise State lost. However, Madsen returned for the Mountain West Championship Game and helped the Broncos take down UNLV. This Boise State offense can be dangerous when Madsen is dealing, but the defense has holes that could be exposed in this game.
Washington Preview
It looks like this Washington team will be fully intact for the LA Bowl. There were rumors about Jedd Fisch potentially being a candidate for some of the open head coaching positions across the country, but he committed to staying at Washington. Meanwhile, stars Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman were at risk of opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft, but perhaps how early this bowl game is encouraged them to play one more game with the Huskies. This is a very good Washington team, whose losses came to Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and Wisconsin. Other than the inexplicable loss to Wisconsin, this team only lost to the best competition that it faced. Quarterback Demond Williams, running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston make for one of the best offensive trios in the sport. They will look to put on one last big display before the latter two head off to the NFL.
Boise State vs. Washington pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is for Washington to cover as 9.5-point favorites. The Huskies have one of the most dangerous offenses in the sport, ranking sixth nationally in offensive success rate. They weren’t able to overcome elite defenses, like Ohio State and Oregon. However, against lesser opponents, they put up massive numbers on offense. In non-conference competition, they scored 38 points against Colorado State, 70 points against UC Davis and 59 points against Washington State. They should hang a massive number against a Boise State defense that lacks the athletes to stop players of that quality.
Washington’s offense ranks 12th in the nation in points per quality drive, while Boise State’s defense ranks 117th in the same category. That means the Huskies will likely turn any good drive into a touchdown. On offense, Boise State stalled out against the two best teams it faced all season, Notre Dame and South Florida, only scoring seven points in each of those games. The Huskies’ defense has a massive athletic advantage and should make life hard on Maddux Madsen. The Huskies should win the first FBS bowl game of the season in dominating fashion.
