By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports activities
The Pac-12 and ACC every certified one bowl participant from the West this season in Washington State and Cal.
The Cougars completed their season on a excessive notice, defeating Utah State 34-21 within the Idaho Well-known Potato Bowl
The Bears have been robust to foretell this yr, punching above their weight in some video games, and stunningly beneath it in others.
Nonetheless, right here they’re within the postseason. California takes on Hawai’i within the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl on Wednesday.
The Rainbow Warriors from the Mountain West determine to offer a strong end-of-season check.
I preview the matchup right here and supply my straight-up decide with projected scores.
Cal vs. Hawai’i
Wednesday, December 24
5:00 PM PT, ESPN
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Advanced (Honolulu)
It hasn’t been simple to preview Cal this season. The Bears obtained blown out by San Diego State and misplaced to Stanford, but in addition defeated Louisville and SMU.
One fascinating factor to look at on this matchup is how Nick Rolovich performs in opposition to his former squad. Rolovich pulled the upset in opposition to SMU, however they’ll must proceed to attain factors in opposition to Hawaii.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is from Ewa Seaside, so he’ll look to play properly in his dwelling state. So long as Sagapolutele will get help from the run sport, the Golden Bears ought to be capable to transfer the ball.
However there aren’t any ensures. Cal ranks final within the nation in speeding yards per sport.
The Bears do function a strong wideout duo in Trond Grizzell and Jacob De Jesus. Mason Mini additionally has additionally added 387 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns at tight finish.
The Rainbow Warriors have a good secondary, rating 62nd in go yards allowed per contest, however the Bears have seen higher within the ACC.
Flipping the island, UH has the ninth-best passing assault nationally.
That aerial assault was led by Micah Alejado, who has had a wonderful freshman marketing campaign, throwing for two,832 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
However he shall be with out Jackson Harris on this contest, and Cal’s secondary is ranked thirty seventh nationally in passing yards allowed per sport.
Alejado might want to keep away from Hezekiah Plenty, who’s tied fifth nationally with 5 interceptions.
The Golden Bears have a variety of connections on the island and so they’ll look to impress.
Ewa takes over.
Cal 35, Hawai’i 21
Ultimate Rating: Washington State 34, Utah State 21
Monday, December 22
11:00 AM PT, ESPN
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
This is a singular matchup between two future Pac-12 opponents. There are a bunch of storylines surrounding this contest, however the largest one will play out on the sphere.
Washington State should discover a approach to cease Bryson Barnes, who has had an outstanding yr, serving to lead Utah State to the thirty seventh nationally ranked offense in factors per sport.
Barnes has thrown for two,687 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. However the Cougars have held 4 out of their final 5 opponents beneath ten factors.
They’ve additionally carried out properly in opposition to respected faculties, maintaining Ole Miss, Virginia, and James Madison to beneath 24 factors.
One other issue working in favor of the Cougs is that the Aggies’ greatest receiver, Braden Pegan, opted out of the competition. His absence might show decisive as a result of USU struggles to win after they throw for lower than 200 yards.
Flipping the potato, Washington State’s offense is fairly dangerous, however they could give you the chance exploit a Utah State protection that ranks 89th nationally in factors allowed per contest.
WSU additionally must discover a approach to prolong drives, as they rank 94th within the nation in third-down conversion proportion. Zevi Eckhaus is a hot-and-cold passing quarterback, however has a reliable goal in Josh Meredith, he Cougars’ greatest wideout.
The Cougar protection is fairly vicious, and Pegan’s opt-out is an enormous loss.
The Cougs steal the funeral potatoes.
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
