What college football bowl games are today? Boca Raton Bowl and LA Bowl

On By Littum

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The show must go on, as the old saying goes. Amidst the now annual handshake of players and coaches on the go, there are still times to fill with sporting goods. And so, for better or for worse, the college football season rolls on.

Wednesday features a pair of warm-weather postseason contests, which was, after all, the original draw for these postseason exhibitions. First up is a clash of programs that were in the hunt for Group-of-Five league titles for most of the season. Then the nightcap bids for the second-ranked team to take the field in the bowl season.

Here are today’s matchups.

Boca Raton Bowl – James Madison vs. Western Kentucky

Time/TV/Place: 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Boca Raton, Fla.

Why watch: It’s easy to forget that JMU is still relatively new to the Bowl Subdivision. The Dukes took a small step back this year in coach Bob Chesney’s first season, but can still achieve a program milestone with their first bowl win. South Florida is a well-known destination for Hilltopswho has won this event on two other occasions. Western Kentucky QB Caden Veltkamp is expected to play even though his name is on the transfer portal, though many of his teammates who helped get the Toppers to the C-USA title game won’t be there. The Dukes will also be shorthanded with QB Alonza Barnett out with an injury, so they will likely lean heavily on RBs George Pettaway and Wayne Knight.

Why it might disappoint: JMU could have a significant advantage with a more cohesive roster. But WKU’s bowl history has often come with a dose of ferocity, like last year when the Toppers mounted a 21-point comeback in the fourth quarter to beat Old Dominion, so anything is possible.

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LA Bowl – no. 24 UNLV vs. California

Time/TV/Place: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN, Inglewood, California.

Why watch: The good news for UNLV taking coach Barry Odom to Purdue is that he at least made the job attractive enough to interest a free agent like Dan Mullen with a proven track record. Before he takes over, though, the Rebels will be led by interim coach Del Alexander in this matchup with the Golden Bears, who themselves will be in transition with QB Fernando Mendoza in the fold. UNLV should have most of its key personnel available, including QB Hajj-Malik Williams and WR Ricky White as well as top RB Jai’Den Thomas. California’s leading WR Nyziah Hunter is also in the portal along with Mendoza, so either CJ Harris or Chandler Rogers will likely pass the ball a lot. The good news for the Bears is that RB Jaydn Ott can finally be back to full speed after battling ankle issues for most of the season.

Why it might disappoint: California won all of its non-conference games but went just 2-6 in its first run through the ACC. If the Rebels see this as an opportunity to make a statement, it could be a long night for the Bears.