Fresno State expected to play bowl game in Los Angeles. Here is what’s known so far
Fresno State is headed to Los Angeles for its bowl game.
The Bulldogs defeated Boise State 28-16 on Saturday to capture the Mountain West championship.
And as the conference champ, Fresno State is guaranteed a spot in the Jimmy Kimmel L.A. Bowl.
Who will the Bulldogs play?
Fresno State is expected to be paired against a Pac-12 opponent, but which team has yet to be determined.
Fresno State (9-4) is likely to see Washington State (7-5) — the L.A. Bowl pits the Mountain West champion against the fifth place team from Pac-12, not selected by the Rose, Alamo, Holiday, Las Vegas or Sun bowls.
No. 16 Oregon State (9-3) and No. 17 UCLA (9-3) have also been mentioned.
L.A. Bowl date, time, tickets
The L.A. Bowl will be held Dec. 17 with a 12:30 p.m. kickoff at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (home of the Rams and Chargers of the NFL).
It’s ultimately up to ESPN to decide what matchups it wants for its owned bowls.
In the L.A. Bowl’s debut last year, Utah State defeated Oregon State 24-13.
Could another Fresno State vs. UCLA matchup be on the docket?
It was just last season that Fresno State played UCLA at the Rose Bowl during the regular season and beat the then-No. 13 Bruins 40-37.
Would Fresno State go up against Washington State in an unofficial Jim Sweeney tribute bowl considering both programs were once headed by the longtime, beloved former Bulldogs coach?
Or could Fresno State face Oregon State again after the two teams played a nail biter in September when the Beavers scored on the final play of the game and escaped with a 35-32 win at Valley Children’s Stadium?
Official answers will come Sunday when bowl matchups are announced.
Until then, Fresno State isn’t expected to announce bowl ticket sales, though tickets for the L.A. Bowl are already on sale with prices beginning at $35.
Fresno State (9-4) played in Los Angeles earlier this season when the Bulldogs lost to USC at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
The Bulldogs have since recovered from a 1-4 start and won eight straight going into the bowl game.
