2025 Bucked Up LA Bowl Prediction: Boise State vs Washington

2025 Bucked Up LA Bowl Prediction: Boise State vs Washington

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2025 Bucked Up LA Bowl Prediction: Boise State vs Washington

It might be the first FBS bowl of the season, but the Bucked Up LA Bowl carries a whole lot of weight for both Washington and Boise State.

The two programs met up in the Chris Petersen Bowl – the legendary head coach was great for both programs – in the 2019 Las Vegas, and Washington won 38-7. That was a long time ago, and it’s been a long time since Boise State beat a power program.

The Broncos got to the College Football Playoff, and they’ve won three straight Mountain West titles, but they haven’t beaten an at-the-time Power conference team since opening that 2019 season against Florida State.

Off to the new Pac-12, this would be a huge win for the program going into the offseason.

It’s every bit as big for Washington.

Head coach Jedd Fisch’s team dropped the Sun Bowl last year in a thriller against Louisville. A victory here would give the Huskies a nine-win season and mark a big step forward in Year Two under Fisch.

Bucked Up LA Bowl Boise State vs Washington Preview

Oct 4, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) celebrates as he runs in a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium.© Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

How To Watch Boise State vs Washington

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
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Why Boise State Will Win

It’s a different team with its guy back.

Yes, Ashton Jeanty was a Heisman-caliber superstar who carried the Broncos at times last year, but as it turned out, the quarterback was pretty good, too.

Maddux Madsen can run, he’s effective, and he can move the offense. Out for most of the last four games of the regular season, the offense fell flat in what, at the time, seemed like key losses to San Diego State and Fresno State. 

Madsen came back against UNLV, and the offense rumbled against a good team. He’s not the be-all-end-all talent, but he gives Boise State a fighting chance.

Helped by Madsen’s running, the Broncos have to run well to pull this off. They’re 6-0 when running for more than 165 yards, 9-1 when they run for more than 140.

Washington is 0-3, including the faceplant against Wisconsin, when allowing more than 140 rushing yards, and …

Nov 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) during warmups before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Husky Stadium. © Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Why Washington Will Win

If the Huskies come in fully focused and mostly loaded – there are still a few questions about a few key players and whether or not they’ll be able to go, or opt-out; it isn’t that long since they finished the regular season – then look out.

When Washington has everything humming, it’s moving the chains with third down conversions coming in bunches, and it happens in a few different ways. QB Demond Williams can move, and the team is almost unbeatable when he’s sharp.

The Huskies rely on a slew of manageable midrange passes. They have an explosive element, but they’re at their best when they’re in full control of the tempo. They’re 8-1 when they complete 63% or more of their passes, 0-3 when they don’t.

And this is where the talent level kicks in.

There weren’t any truly dangerous passing games in the Mountain West other than Hawaii and San Jose State, and Boise State missed both teams. Notre Dame and USF had elite college talent at quarterback, and they moved the ball fine throughout the air. 

Williams can, too.

Boise State vs Washington Prediction, Betting Lines

Can we get a good LA Bowl? The first four have been double-digit duds – Jimmy Kimmel was bored with his own bowl in 2022.

It’s not that Boise State isn’t good, and it can certainly bring the effort and fight to make this interesting, but beating UNLV and Utah State isn’t at the same level as taking down this Washington squad if – and it’s always a huge if – it plays like it really, really wants to win the Bucked Up LA Bowl.

Boise State will be terrific for the first 20 minutes, but the Huskies will be too good defensively over the final 40.

Washington 34, Boise State 13 
Line: Washington -9.5, o/u: 52.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5
Must See Rating: 3
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Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Related: 2025 Cricket Celebration Bowl Prediction: South Carolina State vs Prairie View A&M

This story was originally published by College Football News on Dec 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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