Bowl season is officially upon us, and the California Golden Bears will play the UNLV Rebels at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for the 2024 LA Bowl. It’s a relatively short drive for both teams to get to Los Angeles, and it should be a great matchup. With new coaches and players, both teams are going to look a lot different than they did in the regular season. That appears to be the new norm with the transfer portal season occurring right after the regular season’s end.
The LA Bowl is a matchup between a former or current Pac-12 team and one of the top Mountain West teams. This will be the second time these two schools have played against each other with the first time coming in 2022. The game will be this Wednesday, December 18, at 6 p.m. PST.
2024 LA Bowl Key Players
California Golden Bears
For many players at Cal, this will be their final college football game. It’s only right that we talk about one of the best players on the team.
Teddye Buchanan has been incredible for the Bears defense this year. It’s a shame that Cal fans only got to watch Buchanan for one season, but it was still a pleasure. He’s played in every single game this season and amassed 112 total tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. His presence has been felt all over the field every single game. Buchanan laid it all on the line this season and will finish his collegiate career as a damn good football player.
It’s yet to be determined who the starting quarterback will be since the news of Fernando Mendoza transferring out broke a few days ago. The most important thing is that this game provides the coaching staff a chance to get live reps on tape.
One of the quarterbacks, EJ Caminong, should see some playing time in the bowl game. It’s yet to be determined how much, but Caminong is an intriguing prospect. The former three-star recruit from Washington hasn’t played yet this season, but fans are eager to see him showcase his abilities. No doubt quarterback CJ Harris will get playing time and possibly start, but if Caminong can play well, that provides optimism for everyone going into the offseason.
Key Players – UNLV Rebels
UNLV had one of their best seasons ever this year, and a lot of the credit goes to Hajj-Malik Williams. Williams wasn’t the starting quarterback to start the season, but an unexpected and sign-of-the-times scenario arose that led to starting quarterback Matthew Sluka leaving the team midseason.
The dual-threat quarterback stepped in and played well by throwing for 1,845 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He can also take off whenever he feels like it, too. Williams ran for 824 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He will be tough to stop on Wednesday night and the Bears can’t let him roam around the backfield freely or he can make you pay either way.
One of the more impressive linebackers to play in college this season (outside of the aforementioned Buchanan) is none other than Jackson Woodard.
The standout linebacker had an outstanding senior season where he earned the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. Not to mention he has been named to the All-Mountain West Football First Team, twice. Get used to hearing his name because he will more than likely be a stud at the next level. With Cal not being able to run the ball effectively this year while also struggling to protect the quarterback, Woodard could be in for a huge final send-off. This matchup is incredible if you’re into good linebacker play.
2024 LA Bowl final thoughts
This is the second consecutive season the Bears have reached a bowl game. With all of the recent news going on around the team, winning the 2024 LA Bowl would be a nice tone-setter for the off-season.
It appears coach Wilcox will be sticking around for the next year given the recent coaching changes. That might not be what a lot of Cal fans had hoped for. However, if he doesn’t nail these hires I don’t think you have to wait much longer. People can say most bowl games do not matter, but they do. I’m not sure what to expect, especially with a new and inexperienced quarterback. Still, coach Wilcox needs to try and win this game, and I do think Cal can edge out the Rebels in a close one.
Cody Henderson
I root for teams that only let me down. Talking all things Las Vegas Raiders and Cal Bears football. Follow me on X where I post my dramatic takes.