California Navigating a Mixed First Season, UNLV Facing Bowl Game Without Head Coach

2024 LA Bowl Preview: California Golden Bears vs UNLV Rebels

The 2024 LA Bowl features an intriguing clash between the California Golden Bears (6-6) and the #24 UNLV Rebels (10-3), set to take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at 9:00 EST on December 20th. This marks the second meeting between the two programs, with California edging out the Rebels in a 2022 matchup by a narrow six-point margin. However, the dynamics have changed considerably, with both teams entering this bowl game with distinct challenges and opportunities.

California Golden Bears: A Mixed First Season in the ACC

After a tumultuous departure from the Pac-12, California embarked on their first season in the ACC, finishing 14th out of 17 teams in the conference. They ended the regular season with a 2-6 conference record but managed to secure a bowl bid through a solid non-conference performance, highlighted by wins over Auburn, Oregon State, and San Diego State. However, their finale against SMU saw a deflating 38-6 loss, capped by a second-half collapse.

Offensive Struggles and Injuries: Heading into the LA Bowl, the Golden Bears will be without several key contributors. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza and wide receiver Nyzaih Hunter have entered the transfer portal, and offensive lineman Matthew Wykoff will also miss the game. This leaves Chandler Rogers likely to take the reins as the starting quarterback. Rogers, who played at North Texas last year, offers valuable experience, having thrown 29 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions in 2023. While he has seen limited action this season with only 25 passes for California, his experience could prove vital in this matchup.

In the backfield, Jaydyn Ott has been inconsistent, finishing the season with 301 rushing yards, a far cry from his 1,300-yard performance last year. Ott will share carries with Jaivian Thomas, who racked up 598 yards and 7 touchdowns this season. With Hunter out, tight end Jack Endries becomes the primary pass-catching threat, finishing the regular season with 49 catches for 562 yards and 2 touchdowns.

UNLV Rebels: Playing Without Their Head Coach

The UNLV Rebels (10-3) enter the 2024 LA Bowl with a solid regular season performance, finishing second in the Mountain West Conference behind Boise State. However, their hopes for a Mountain West Championship were dashed in a 21-7 loss to Boise State in the conference title game, where they were 3.5-point underdogs.

Adding to the intrigue, the Rebels will be without their head coach, Barry Odom, who accepted the head coaching position at Purdue. Dan Mullen was hired as the new head coach, but he will not be leading the team in this game. Instead, wide receivers coach Del Alexander will serve as the interim head coach for the bowl game.

Offensive Firepower Despite Key Absences: Despite losing star wide receiver Ricky White III and cornerback Tony Grimes, who opted out for the NFL draft, the Rebels retain a potent offense led by dual-threat quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams. Williams passed for 1,845 yards, completing 62% of his passes with 17 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. Additionally, he contributed 824 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground, showcasing his versatility.

With White out, Jacob De Jesus will be the top target in the passing game. The 5’7″ senior finished the regular season with 34 catches for 474 yards and 2 touchdowns, providing a reliable option for Williams.

In the backfield, Jai’Den Thomas has been the primary rusher, totaling 846 yards and 7 touchdowns, including a 135-yard performance in the season finale against Nevada. Together with Williams, they form a dangerous ground game that California’s defense will have to contend with.

Conclusion

While California has the defensive edge with their ability to generate turnovers, UNLV’s offense—even without Ricky White—should be too much for the Golden Bears to handle. The Rebels’ running game, led by Williams and Thomas, will likely control the tempo of the game, while California’s offense may struggle with the absence of key playmakers like Mendoza and Hunter.

With the loss of head coach Barry Odom, the Rebels face some uncertainty in terms of leadership, but Del Alexander has had a strong relationship with the team and will look to guide them to victory. Ultimately, UNLV’s high-scoring offense and their depth of playmakers should prove to be the difference.

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