Ghosts of Pac-12 Past & Future Collide

The college football bowl season kicks off this Saturday evening at SoFi Stadium with the LA Bowl, featuring Boise State against Washington. This game carries significant historical weight, as both teams have connections to former coach Chris Petersen. It also represents a symbolic encounter between the Pac-12's past and its future, as a former conference member faces a team set to join a revamped league next season.

Boise State enters this contest on a tight turnaround, having just secured their Mountain West championship eight days prior. Their quarterback, Maddux Madsen, returned for that crucial game. Washington, on the other hand, experienced a mixed Big Ten season with flashes of offensive brilliance interspersed with struggles. Their defense, led by DB Alex McLaughlin, will aim to contain Boise's offense.

The Huskies are quarterbacked by Demond Williams, who has impressively accounted for 21 passing touchdowns and six rushing scores. He will need to be aware of Boise State's defensive leader, DB Ty Benefield. However, Boise's short rest and their history against strong non-conference opponents present potential challenges, while Washington's own occasional offensive lapses could also impact the game's outcome.