The LA Bowl would be played for the final time on Saturday when Boise State faces Washington in what could be coach Jedd Fisch’s final game with the Huskies. The Broncos are fielding a quarterback, Maddux Madsen, who wants to end a long losing streak against a Power Four team.
Here are five things to watch during the LA Bowl:
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Could this be Jedd Fisch’s last game with the Huskies?
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, left, talks with quarterback Demond Williams Jr. during a timeout against Michigan on Oct. 18. (Ryan Sun/Associated Press)
Hours after being fired by Michigan, former coach Sherrone Moore was in jail. The university announced he was fired after an investigation revealed “credible evidence” that he “engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.” The next day, multiple reports pointed to Fisch as a potential candidate for Michigan’s coaching job due to his ties to the program.
Under former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Fisch coached wide receivers and helped develop quarterbacks Jake Rudock and Wilton Speight. With Washington, he guided the Huskies to an 8-4 record, with second-year quarterback Demond Williams Jr. passing for 2,850 yards and 21 touchdowns. Will Fisch find his way back to Ann Arbor?
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Will Boise State finally beat a Power Four team?
Since winning against Florida State in the 2019 season opener, Boise State is 0-9 against Power Four teams. In their last three matchups with major-conference colleges, the Broncos lost to Notre Dame in September, Penn State in last year’s Fiesta Bowl and to Oregon in September 2024. Two years ago, they also lost to UCLA in the LA Bowl.
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Against Notre Dame, Madsen threw four interceptions in a 27-7 loss. The offense will need every yardage it can get against Washington. Opponents have scored less than 20 points per game against the Huskies’ defense.
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Boise State’s offense has a tall mountain to climb if it wants to end its streak against big-conference teams.
Can the Huskies’ offense stabilize their inconsistency?
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looks to pass against Oregon on Nov. 29. (Lindsey Wasson/Associated Press)
Washington is 3-3 in its last six games, losing to Michigan, Wisconsin and Oregon. During their losses, the offense scored a total of 31 points, while Williams threw five interceptions and three touchdowns. By comparison, Fisch’s offense scored 138 points in wins over Illinois, Purdue and UCLA.
What offense will come up against Boise State’s defense?
Will Maddux Madsen return from injury with back-to-back wins?
Against Fresno State on November 1, Madsen suffered an injury to his right ankle and toe. The Bulldogs ended up winning the game with backup quarterback Max Cutforth throwing two interceptions and a touchdown.
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During his absence, Boise State lost two of four, with Cutforth throwing two touchdowns in four games. Madsen returned in the Mountain West championship game against Nevada in Las Vegas and reignited the Broncos’ offense, throwing for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Can he replicate those numbers against a Big Ten team?
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End of a (short) era
After a six-year contract, a game canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, four different sponsors and two different celebrity hosts, the LA Bowl will close its doors after Saturday’s game, according to Sur3.com“Brett McMurphy.
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In a statement to the TimesHollywood Park, which is owned by Stan Kroenke and operates the bowling alley, refused to remedy the situation.
“We are expecting a very exciting and competitive match,” a spokesperson told The Times. “Discussions regarding future plans for the LA Bowl will be postponed until after the game.”
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This story was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.
