LA♎S VEGAS — Even if Chris Petersen goes out with a win on Saturday, it’s not going to be a storybook ending for the retiring Washington coa🐬ch.
The Huskies were picked by most to win the Pac-12 champions🅺hip and contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. A season 🧸with lofty goals should not end before Christmas.
Petersen’s parting gift is a finale against the prog🤪ram he raised to national prominence. Washington (7-5 straight up and🍃 ATS) is a 3½-point favorite against Boise State (12-1, 8-5 ATS) in the Las Vegas Bowl.
The Broncos won the Mountain West, which was a weak league this season, and the significance of their season-opening win at Florida State has fade𝔉d. Boise has two capable quarterbacks — senior Jaylon Henderson and freshman Hank Bachmeier — and a defense that did not allow more than 24 points in any of its past five games.
The Huskies will 𒊎be without tight end Hunter Bryant and left tackle Trey Adams as bot🐎h sit out to prepare for the 2020 NFL Draft. After a disappointing season, quarterback Jacob Eason might return for another year at Washington if he’s not projected as a first-round pick.
Eason needs an impressive bowl performance, and there will be major motiva🌜tion to send Petersen out in style. Washington opened as a 6½-point favorite. The Huskies’ talent level should prove superior.
The picks: Washington -3½ and Under 49½.
Gasparilla
Marshall (+17½) over Central Florida (Monday): After playing on big bowl stages in the Fiesta and Peach the past two 🎉years, the Knights could be disinterested favorites. Thunderꦦing Herd coach Doc Holliday is 6-0 in bowl games. Marshall comes in hot, winning six of seven down the stretch.
Hawaii
BYU-Hawaii (Over 64) (Tuesday): With a pooꦉr run defense and explosive passing offense, Hawaii can get into shootouts. Warriors coach Nick Rolovich will let quarterback Cole McDonald air it out. The Cougars beat the Warriors 49-23 in 2018 in Provo, Utah.
Independence
Louisiana Tech (+6) over Miami (Thursday): It’s unlikely the Hurricanes are excited to be in Shreveport, La., for Christmas, and coach Manny Diaz has struggled to motivate his team. Miami is 1-8 in its past nine bowls. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz owns a✨ five-game bowl win streak.
Holiday
USC (+2) over Iowa (Friday): The Hawkeyes make it look ugly with defense, but they have not faced an offense with the Trojans’ speed and big-play weapons. Kedon Slovis passed for 515 yards against UCLA. The announcement that coach Clay Helton is returning should provide a boost for this 🐼game in San Diego.
Last week: 1-1.
Season: 23-27-3.