The 2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl features the 10-3 Utah State Aggies against the 7-5 Oregon State Beavers. Here is the 2021 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Preview.
Utah State Aggies (10-3)
Utah State won 10 games to make their first bowl game since 2019. They won four games against bowl-eligible teams on their way to a Mountain West Championship. Their three losses all came to teams who qualified for bowl games.
The Aggies score 33.2 points, which ranks them 30th in the country. They pass for 305.8 yards (ranked 15th) and rush for 144.6 yards per game (ranked 80th).
Logan Bonner has stepped up at quarterback this year for the Aggies. He has passed for 3,560 yards, 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 61.2 percent completion. They have four pass-catchers with over 400 receiving yards. Deven Thompkins leads the team with 96 receptions for 1,589 yards and also has nine touchdowns. Brandon Bowling and Derek Wright each have over 750 receiving yards and at least nine receiving touchdowns.
Three running backs have at least 200 rushing yards on the season. Calvin Tyler Jr. has 170 carries for 764 yards and six touchdowns. Elelyon Noa has 575 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the season. John Gentry rounds out the group with 235 rushing yards and no touchdowns.
The defense allows 25.3 points per game, ranking them 58th in the country. They concede 162.6 rushing yards (ranked 85th) and 228.4 passing yards per game (ranked 65th). Linebacker Justin Rice paces the team with 115 total tackles. He is also tied for the team lead with safeties Shaq Bond and Ajani Carter at three apiece.
Oregon State Beavers (7-5)
Oregon State won seven games to become eligible for a bowl game for the first time since 2013. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams in Hawaii, Utah and Arizona State this season. Two of their losses came against teams who didn’t qualify for a bowl: Colorado and Cal.
The Beavers score 32.9 points per game, ranking 35th in the country. They rush for 217.4 yards (ranked 12th) and pass for 213.1 yards per game (ranked 85th).
At quarterback for Oregon State is Chance Nolan. Nolan has played decently this season with 2,414 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 63.5 percent completion. Five receivers have at least 200 yards for Nolan. Trevon Bradford leads the team with 40 catches for 606 yards and five touchdowns. Behind him, Tre’Shaun Harrison has 25 receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
Leading the powerful Oregon State rushing attack is B.J. Baylor with 1,259 yards and 13 touchdowns. For a change of pace, Deshaun Fenwick and Trey Lowe have helped. Fenwick has 448 yards and four touchdowns, while Lowe has rushed for 330 yards and a touchdown.
They have allowed 25.9 points per game, ranking 65th in the FBS. They give up 146.7 rushing yards (ranked 57th) and 241.1 passing yards per game (ranked 87th). Linebacker Avery Roberts leads the team with 123 total tackles. Defensive back Kitan Oladapo has eight passes defended to lead the team.
Prediction
Utah State was able to win the Mountain West over a physical San Diego State team. If they can play as they did against the Aztecs, they can defeat the Beavers. Utah State should be able to expose the pass defense of Oregon State and escape with a win.
Utah State Aggies 31 Oregon State 29
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