Colorado at California odds, picks and prediction
The Colorado Buffaloes (2-4, 1-2 Pac-12) and California Golden Bears (1-5, 0-3) meet for a Saturday 3:30 p.m. ET game at California Memorial Stadium in Berkley, California. Below, we look at the Colorado vs. California odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Colorado snapped a four-game losing losing streak with a 34-0 drubbing of the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday. Big plays and defense/special teams scores contributed to the Buffaloes notching as many points as they had during their entire losing streak. The Buffs head into Saturday's game at Cal ranked 127th in total yards (260.5 yards per game).
The Golden Bears head into Saturday's tilt off three straight losses. With struggles in the red zone (scores in just 72.7% of trips), California has scuffled its way to just 23.0 points per game (105th in FBS). Cal is in search of its first win over an FBS opponent: the Bears' lone win came against Sacramento State on Sept. 18.
Colorado at California odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 6:11 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Colorado +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | California -370 (bet $370 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Colorado +8.5 (-110) | California -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 44.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Colorado at California odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
California 28, Colorado 21
Money line
PASS on the money line. Colorado would be a lean in +300 territory.
Against the spread
The Golden Bears are 2-9-1 ATS in their last 12 home games. And Cal might be getting a bit too much recency bias here. The Bears were a turnover plus-2 in their close game against Oregon.
The Buffs have been successful on just 32.9% of their third-down conversions (114th in FBS). Peg Colorado as being able to run enough against a Cal team whose defensive rushing numbers may be a little misleading so far.
And that will keep the Buffs more on schedule … and more in this game than what's indicated in the spread.
BACK THE BUFFALOES +8.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Both sides figure to get a field position boost compared to what they are used to. Look for a maybe-close-through-three-quarters game flow to spiral the score up an extra 7-10 points.
TAKE THE OVER 44.5 (-108).
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