Boise State vs. UCLA Prediction, Picks & LA Bowl Odds for 12/16

⭐ NCAA Best Bet Today #1:  Boise State Moneyline (+155) at ESPN Bet

Boise State has had one of the most interesting conclusions of the 2023-24 college football season. The program fired head coach Andy Avalos when the team was 5-5, but the team managed to rally and win its final three games, including the Mountain West championship 44-20 over UNLV to secure a conference title. Interim head coach Spencer Danielson was offered the full-time role as the team's new leader and will lead Boise State in the LA Bowl against UCLA. 

We're going with Boise State Moneyline (+155) at ESPN Bet. The Broncos have found momentum and we expect the players and team to prioritize with a strong finish to cap their unexpected rally to end the season. To highlight what this game means to the players, star running back Ashton Jeanty announced he will play in the bowl game. Boise State will miss just two players who entered the transfer portal, but one is a key loss in starting QB Taylen Green, who is set to transfer to Arkansas. This means true freshman C.J. Tiller is set to start. 

On the UCLA side, there are plenty more opt-outs and players are ready to miss the game. Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Laiatu Latu is sitting out as he prepares for the NFL Draft. UCLA's secondary also takes a hit with safeties Kamari Ramsey and William Nimmo not playing, and its top corner, John Humphrey will also miss the game. Starting running back Carson Steele was also not at practice this week. 

There are too many key pieces missing on the UCLA side, and we like the momentum Boise State has generated to end the season. We like the Broncos to pull off the upset. 

Betting Pick: Boise State Moneyline (+155) at ESPN Bet

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NCAA Best Bet Today #2: ⭐ Ashton Jeanty Over 87.5 Rushing Yards (-115) at ESPN Bet

Much of Boise State's success on offense can be attributed to running back Ashton Jeanty, who led the Broncos with 1,262 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Jeanty announced he will play in the LA Bowl and return to Boise State next season. We're going to look to back a motivated Jeanty against UCLA. 

We like Ashton Jeanty Over 87.5 Rushing Yards (-115) at ESPN Bet. Jeanty should see a higher workload than normal since Boise State will be without starting QB Taylor Green, forcing true freshman C.J. Tiller to lead the Broncos offense. Jeanty had at least 20 carries in six games this season and should see similar numbers against UCLA. 

UCLA will be down at least five defensive starters, including two of its top defensive linemen in edge Laiatu Latu who was the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, and defensive tackle Gary Smith, who missed the final two regular-season games with injury. We're going to back Jeanty for a big game to close the season. 

Betting Pick:  Ashton Jeanty Over 87.5 Rushing Yards (-115) at ESPN Bet

⭐ NCAA Best Bet Today #3:  Ethan Garbers Under 210.5 Passing Yards (-114) at ESPN Bet

Ethan Garbers is likely to start for UCLA with Dante Moore entering the transfer portal. Garbers has started six games this season and saw action in seven. For the season, Garbers threw for 984 yards and nine touchdowns with just three interceptions. 

We're going with Ethan Garbers Under 210.5 Passing Yards (-114) at ESPN Bet. Garbers has not been a high-yardage passer for the majority of the season. In four of six starts this season, he's thrown for fewer than 160 yards. 

Boise State will also have its full defense available for the matchup against UCLA. We expect UCLA to continue to lean on its run game, which should keep Garbers' passing yardage from going over this player prop of 210.5 yards. 

Betting Pick: Ethan Garbers Under 210.5 Passing Yards (-114) at ESPN Bet

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