Cal vs UNLV prediction & betting tips - Dec. 18 - LA Bowl

The Cal Golden Bears will play the UNLV Rebels on Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Cal (6-6) is coming off a 38-6 loss to SMU. UNLV (10-3) lost 21-7 to Boise State in the Mountain West Championship.

Cal vs. UNLV: Preview

CAL Golden Bears and the UNLV Rebels last met in a non-conference NCAA football match in Sept. 2022, with the Golden Bears winning 20-14. (Credits: IMAGN)

Cal is a 1-point underdog while the over/under is set at 48 points.

The Golden Bears ended the season going 3-2. Cal will be without starting QB Fernando Mendoza and the team's leading receiver, Nzyiah Hunter, as both are in the transfer portal.

“Surprised? Disappointed for sure,” coach Justin Wilcox said about Mendoza leaving. “I don’t think anything surprises me anymore in college football. We did our best to support and promote Fernando. We did everything we could to keep him, and as I mentioned these guys have tough decisions to make. I empathize with players in this era because there’s a lot going on. It’s very, very complicated."

UNLV, meanwhile, will see quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams start the final game of his college career. Rebels interim coach Del Alexander is an LA native and is eager to coach the home team.

"I've been around some great coaches," Alexander said, via CBS. "I think I have a winning record in being a part of teams that have won bowl games. The influence from those experiences is what I'm using. You know, short and sweet. Make sure the guys have fun. Make sure they're locked in on the details for the situations, and then bring it all together in the end."

Malik-Williams has passed for 1,845 yards, scoring 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The Rebels benefit as UNLV has no significant opt-outs.

Cal being without Mendoza will hurt their offense and chances in this bowl game. The Golden Bears will struggle to move the ball on offense as UNLV will get a big win here to win the LA Bowl.

Prediction: UNLV 24, Cal 21

Cal vs. UNLV: Betting Tips

Tip 1: UNLV -1 (-105)

Tip 2: UNLV ML (-112)

Tip 3: Under 48 points (-110)