Boise State Broncos (9-4 SU, 7-4-2 ATS) vs. Washington Huskies (8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS)
Bucked Up LA Bowl
Date/Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 8PM EST
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV: ABC
Betting Odds
Point Spread: BSU +9.5/WAS -9.5 (Bovada)
Money Line: BSU +270, WAS -340
Over/Under Total: 52
The bowl season kicks off in the city of angels, as the Boise State Broncos take on the Washington Huskies at SoFi Stadium in the Bucked Up LA Bowl. Boise State had a bit of a rocky season in some respects, righting the ship at the right time, and going on to win the Mountain West Conference Championship with a 38-21 win over UNLV on December 5. Washington, meanwhile, last played on November 29, falling 26-14 at home to Oregon. Still, they won 8 games this season and look to put a ribbon on a good second season for head coach Jedd Fisch and his squad. Let’s break this one down!
Food for Thought
These teams don’t have much of a connection, but did play last year in a 45-24 win for Boise when Washington was still reeling from massive departures and changes. In terms of this game, the momentum edge might be on Boise’s side. After a rough patch in November where it appeared things were going off the rails, they got it together and won three straight to enter this game. They won the conference title and got their starting QB back in Maddux Madsen. Washington, on the other hand, started the season a promising 5-1 and more or less alternated wins and losses over the second half of the season. Sure, they played some tougher teams than Boise did and their losses also came to better teams.
That’s always the conundrum in bowl games where teams from conferences of varying strengths play each other. So, it’s hard to attach value to how Boise looked better to finish the season. And despite an uneven second half of the campaign, the Huskies would seem to be a rising force. They kept it together in a tough season last year and saw some things start to pay off this season, aided by a booming recruiting class. They’re young, but they’re on the rise. We’ll see how they do with a balanced and strong Boise squad.
Talent Differential?
Washington is pretty stocked on both sides of the ball with compelling talent. That goes for guys at the skill positions, key pieces among the O-line, and on defense, as well. Most visible is QB Demond Williams, Jr. a dual-threat with 21 TDs through the air and 6 more on the ground. The supporting cast is strong and deep, though there could be some depreciation if injured players sit out or a player or two opts out with his eyes set on the NFL Draft. They’re just so young at most of the key positions that it shouldn’t be that much of an issue. And while this is a low-end bowl game from the grand scheme of things, it’s still a high-visibility spot in a big city in an NFL stadium where Washington would want this game for recruiting and extra momentum to carry into 2026, which in many ways will be a big crossroads for the Huskies. Still not having guys like Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston would not be great and that bears watching heading into Saturday.
That goes for Spencer Danielson’s Broncos team, as well. And while nothing is solid as of press time, there are a few pieces that could depart. They’re still a well-coached team with a lot of weapons. Madsen’s return was felt immediately, as the offense looked good against UNLV. In a lot of ways, it was exactly what you’d want to see heading into a game like this. Madsen threw three TDs and ran in one. Both of their top backs in Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines, were very productive, and a deep receiving cast stepped up to give this offense a lot of variety. That will be key in this game, as the Boise offense might call more on the arm of Madsen. Washington doesn’t give up a ton against the run. We’ll see if the varied attack of Boise’s run game can make a difference.
Value
Frankly, when the spread is nearing double-digits, I like to see a clearer path laying points. Washington is a good team, and they’re on the rise. Boise, however, is looking to get a tenth win this season before they go to the Pac-12, and they have an agenda too. Their defense can be troublesome, and we’ve seen a Washington O-line falter, which could be exacerbated if people depart before this game. Maddux Madsen can get this offense moving, and while Washington might stifle the run, there are still ample weapons he can use to at least keep this one from getting out of hand.
Take the Points
Again, when laying a number like what’s required to get behind Washington this week, you don’t want anything about the game to appear even. Washington will be better than Boise in a year or two. But Boise is already who they are, and what that is might not be too far off from what Washington is right now. Straight-up, one would be inclined to take the Huskies, but it’s not some slam dunk that they’re going to thrive by double-digits. I think, with some help from a personnel standpoint in light of opt-outs and given how seriously a team like Boise would take a game like this, the Broncos can keep this one within a fair distance and cover the spread. I’m taking Boise State.
Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread:
I’m betting on the Boise State Broncos plus 9.5 points.
