Louisville Enters Boca Raton Bowl as Heavy Favorite Against Undermanned Toledo

Three college football bowl games air today, December 17th, on ESPN. The action begins with the Boca Raton Bowl at 2:00 PM ET in Florida. The Toledo Rockets will face the Louisville Cardinals in the day’s premier matchup.

Both teams finished the regular season with 8-4 records. However, Louisville is favored by 11.5 points according to major sportsbooks. This game sets the tone for a full day of postseason football.

Key Absences Shape the Boca Raton Bowl Narrative

Toledo enters this game at a significant personnel disadvantage. Backup quarterback Tucker Gleason is injured and will not play. This forces the Rockets to lean heavily on their running game.

Running backs Chip Trayanum and Connor Walendzak must carry the offensive load. The team’s interim head coach, Robert Weiner, leads them after Jason Candle departed for UConn. Louisville also faces notable roster changes.

The Cardinals will be without defensive linemen Rene Konga and Wesley Bailey. Both players opted out of the bowl game. Leading receiver Chris Bell is also sidelined due to injury.

Quarterback Matchup and Defensive Battle Expected

Louisville’s offense will be guided by quarterback Miller Moss. He faces a Toledo defense that ended its season strong. The Rockets defeated Central Michigan 21-3 in their final game.

Louisville also closed with a dominant performance, beating Kentucky 41-0. However, they lost three of their last four conference games. The team’s consistency will be tested in Boca Raton.

Analysts from SportsLine project a specific outcome. Their model sees Moss throwing for over 250 yards and two touchdowns. It also predicts Toledo’s running backs will combine for over 110 rushing yards.

Afternoon and Evening Bowl Schedule

The New Orleans Bowl follows at 5:30 PM ET. Western Kentucky will play Southern Mississippi in that contest. Both teams bring winning records to the Caesars Superdome.

The day concludes with the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl at 9:00 PM ET. The UNLV Rebels, with a 10-3 record, take on the 8-4 Ohio Bobcats. This provides nearly seven hours of continuous college football coverage for fans.

The Boca Raton Bowl outcome hinges on Toledo’s ability to control the game’s tempo without its key passer. A Louisville victory would help salvage a season that stumbled in its final stretch.

A quick knowledge drop for you

What time does the Boca Raton Bowl start?

The Boca Raton Bowl kicks off at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday. It is broadcast nationally on ESPN from Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.

Who is favored to win the Toledo vs. Louisville game?

Louisville is a substantial favorite, giving 11.5 points to Toledo. This spread reflects the Cardinals’ perceived offensive power and Toledo’s quarterback injury.

What other bowl games are on today?

Two other games follow. The New Orleans Bowl is at 5:30 PM ET, and the Frisco Bowl starts at 9:00 PM ET. All three games are televised on ESPN.

Why is Toledo’s quarterback situation important?

Backup Tucker Gleason is out with an injury. This forces Toledo to rely on its running game entirely, making its offensive strategy one-dimensional and easier to defend.

What is the over/under for the game’s total points?

The total points over/under is set at 43.5. This relatively low number suggests oddsmakers expect a defensive struggle or a game controlled by the clock.