The 2022 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl features the 7-5 Washington State Cougars against the 9-4 Fresno State Bulldogs. Here is the 2022 Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl Preview.
Washington State Cougars (7-5)
Washington State won seven games to qualify for their second-straight bowl game. They won one game against a bowl-eligible team, which was at Wisconsin. All of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
The Cougars score 27.8 points per game, which ranks them 72nd in the country. They pass for 263.5 yards (ranked 35th) and rush for 112 yards per game (ranked 113th).
Cameron Ward trasnferred in from Incarnate Word to play quarterback for the Cougars. He passed for 3,094 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 64.1 percent completion this season. Seven pass-catchers have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. De’Zhaun Stribling has been the team leader with 51 receptions for 602 receiving yards and five touchdowns, but he is in the transfer portal. Robert Ferrel, Donovan Ollie and Renard Bell each have had nice seasons with over 11 yards per catch and above 300 receiving yards. Ollie is now in the transfer portal.
Two running backs have received the bulk of the work out of the backfield for Washington State. Nakia Watson has 736 yards and eight touchdowns. Jaylen Jenkins has totaled 396 rushing yards and one touchdown. Ward has also helped out with five rushing touchdowns on 62 yards.
Their scoring defense is at 22.4 points per game, which ranks 33rd in the FBS. They allow 127.4 rushing yards (ranked 35th) and 266.7 passing yards per game (ranked 112th). Linebacker Daiyan Henley leads the team with 106 total tackles. Defensive end Brennan Jackson has the team-high with five sacks. Defensive back Chau Smith-Wade has been great in the secondary with eight passes defended and two interceptions.
Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4)
The Bulldogs won nine games and the Mountain West Championship to earn the right to play in their second bowl game in two years. The won four games against teams who went at least .500 in Boise State, Wyoming, San Diego State and San Jose State. They did not lose to a below .500 team.
Fresno State scores 30.7 points per game, ranking them 50th nationally. They pass for 269.8 yards (ranked 27th) and rush for 125.4 yards per game (ranked 96th).
Jake Haener decided to return to Fresno State for another season after a small-stint in the transfer portal. He passed for 2,616 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions on 72.6 percent completion, even after missing some time with an injury. Five receivers have at least 200 yards this season. The best of the bunch is Jalen Moreno-Cropper, who finished the year with 80 receptions for 1,051 yards and five touchdowns. Nikko Remigio has also played well with 69 receptions for 768 yards and five touchdowns.
Leading the way out of the backfield for the Bulldogs is Jordan Mims. Mims has rushed for 1,161 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Malik Sherrod has backed him up with 404 yards and two touchdowns.
The defense allows 20.4 points per game, which is tied for 25th. They concede 157.6 rushing yards (ranked 79th) and 193.3 passing yards per game (ranked 23rd). Linebacker Levelle Bailey has the team-lead with 82 tackles. Defensive end David Perales has pressured the quarterback a lot with 10.5 sacks. Defensive back Cam Lockridge has shown ball production with nine passes defended and five interceptions.
Prediction
Washington State seemed to hit their stride by winning three of their last four games. Ward will be able to use his arm and legs to help the Cougars get the win.
Washington State Cougars 27 Fresno State Bulldogs 24
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