California vs Washington NCAA Football Odds
The Washington Huskies may have started the season 4-0, but they’ve since dropped three straight and have fallen out of the national rankings as a result. The California Golden Bears, on the other hand, have struggled all season, and they offer UW a legitimate chance to get back on track in Week 9.
California (1-6, 0-4 Pac 12) @ Washington (4-3, 1-3 Pac 12)
Saturday, Sept. 28, 10:30 PM ET @ Husky Stadium
Moneyline: N/A
Spread: Washington -23.5
O/U: 64
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Neither of these teams have found success in the Pac-12. Cal is 0-4 while Washington is just 1-3. Both teams are looking to find momentum, and both teams are looking to find their first wins in quite a while.
California
If the California Golden Bears have anything going for them at this point, it’s their ability to throw the ball. Despite their disastrous record, they’re the seventh-best team in the nation in passing yards per game.
They’re completing passes to the tune of 359.9 yards per contest, and they’re spreading the wealth to their receivers adequately in the process.
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The problem is that Cal is about as one dimensional as it comes. Despite their ability to dominate through the air, they’re just 112th in the nation in rushing. They’re running the ball for 106.4 yards per game, which is a big reason they’re only able to score 23.7 points per game.
What’s even more disturbing for fans is the defensive production. Out of 125 FBS programs, the Golden Bears are dead last in points allowed per contest. They’re giving up an atrocious 44.4 points per game, and that’s the No. 1 reason they’ve only been able to beat FCS Portland State. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The good news is that their strength of schedule has been absurd up to this point, which will give them the experience they need to have confidence against Washington. This team has already faced Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon and UCLA (all ranked), and their most recent opponent (Oregon State) is now ranked following their matchup last week.
Washington
The Golden Bears have had the tougher schedule, but the easy fact to point out is that UW has had more success. The Huskies are averaging 33.6 points per game, and while that’s a fairly middle-of-the-road number through eight weeks, their average point margin is almost 10 points per game in their favor.
Washington’s three losses on the year came to three of the best teams in the Pac-12. It held its own against Stanford, it played three good quarters against Oregon and it crumbled against the Arizona State Sun Devils. The California Golden Bears should be a fresh of breath air, and truth be told, both the offense and defense should have a field day.
As much as basic statistics suggest this game goes to Washington, it’s the recent trends that push the Huskies in the right direction. In their last 11 games against a team with a losing record, they’re 9-2 ATS. They’re also 13-3 ATS at home in their last 16—a venue that has seen the score go under 9 of the last 11 outings.
Expect this game to go to the Huskies, and don’t be shocked if the score falls below the projected O/U of 64.
Score Prediction: Washington 41 – California 17
