– Last Updated on November 30, 2022 8:43 am
Week 1: Tigers vs Golden Bears Odds
College football betting sees the Grambling State Tigers taking on the California Golden Bears Saturday, Sept. 5 at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif. Ames Iowa Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Grambling State (0-0) vs. California (0-0)
Week 1
Date: Saturday, September 5
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium – Berkeley, Calif
NCAA Football Spread: OFF (as of Thursday, Sept. 3)
NCAA Betting Total: OFF (as of Thursday, Sept. 3)
NCAA Moneyline Odds: OFF (as of Thursday, Sept. 3)
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The Grambling State Tigers and California Golden Bears are set to kick off their respective seasons against each other at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif.
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The Tigers finished last season 7-5 as a member of the SWAC West, while the Bears finished 5-7 as a member of the Pac-12 North.
Grambling State
Grambling State’s 2014 season was full of runs — both good and bad. After starting the season 0-3, the squad was able to rally off seven straight wins.
Unfortunately, it dropped its last two of the year, meaning all seven victories came in succession and in between losing streaks.
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Against Cal, the Tigers are hoping that the Bears’ defense is as shaky as advertised. California’s defense is expected to be one of the worst in the Pac-12, which bodes especially well for a Grambling State squad that is also known for its offense.
If quarterback Johnathan Williams is given time to throw the football, the Tigers will be able to put up points.
Look for the key matchups in this one to be Grambling State’s offensive line versus the Bears’ defensive line, as well as Grambling State’s receivers versus Cal’s secondary.
California
Although Cal’s defense is likely to struggle this season, the team as a whole can hang its hat on the fact that its Week 1 opponent is likely going to deal with the same theme.
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As solid as Grambling State has the potential to be on offense, the Bears are that at another level. Quarterback Jared Goff tossed for nearly 4,000 yards last season at a 62.1 percent clip. He also threw 35 touchdowns to just seven interceptions.
Taking care of the football will be the major theme for Cal in this one. Grambling State’s defense isn’t going to challenge this air attack, but if the Golden Bears get sloppy, their defense could have trouble if forced to make up the difference at any point in the contest.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
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Week 1 NCAA Football Prediction
Assuming Cal’s passing attack doesn’t experience too many hiccups in the first week of the season, this one should be an easy win. Although Grambling State is known for its offense as well, it just doesn’t have the fire power to hang with Cal if the Golden Bears are connecting early and often — as we expect them to be against a weak defense.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: OFF
Giving Cal a double-digit win is a given here, but we’re amping it up to true blowout fashion.
Week 1 Score Prediction: California 48 – Grambling State 14
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