Free NCAA Football Prediction: Golden Bears vs. Fighting Irish Odds
Looking for Cal Golden Bears vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish free picks? College football betting sees the Golden Bears taking on the Fighting Irish on Saturday, September 17th at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 3 predictions like this Cal-ND free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 3
(2-0) (Cal Golden Bears vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-2)
Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2022
Time: 2:30 pm EST
Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: CAL +10.5 | ND -10.5 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Golden Bears +290 | Fighting Irish -375
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 40.5
The California Golden Bears will travel to South Bend and take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday afternoon on NBC. The Fighting Irish will open as the 10-point favorites to win at, with the total opening at 40.5.
Notre Dame and Cal have only faced only a handful of times in school history, and the Fighting Irish have won all four matchups.
Cal Golden Bears
Cal has jumped out to the ideal 2-0 start head coach Justin Wilcox has hoped for, but it hasn’t come easy at all. Cal opened the season with an underwhelming win over UC Davis, and they barely avoid disaster last weekend.
Last week, California defeated UNLV, 20-14, dodging a bullet at home while falling to 0-2 against the spread this season.
Jack Plummer has come in and grasped the offense quickly. Plummer started 17 games at Purdue, and he surpassed the 250-yard mark in each of his first two starts at Berkeley. Plummer is up to 546 passing yard with four touchdowns to two interceptions through two games.
Cal has rotated three backs to begin the season in efforts to find the hot hand. Reddshirt freshman Jaydn Ott has starred early, rushing for 104 yards in the win over UC Davis, and scoring rushing and receiving touchdowns against UNLV.
Plummer has spread the ball out pretty well thus far. Jeremiah Hunter has posted identical performances in both games, totaling a team lead in catches (11) and receiving yards (15). Freshman wideouts J.Michael Sturdivant and Marvin Anderson have found roles early within Cal’s spread attack, and both receivers caught five passes apiece in the win over UNLV.
Although they haven’t quite been put to the test yet, Cal did hold UNLV to 14 points and made them go 1/12 on third downs.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman’s first game at the helm in South Bend didn’t go well at all. After playing his alma mater, Ohio State, extremely well in the opener, Freeman’s Fighting Irish suffered one of the worst losses in school history.
Last week, Notre Dame uncharacteristically fell to Marshall at home, 26-21, dropping to 0-2 against the spread.
Quarterback play has been an issue early for Notre Dame. Tyler Buchner brings the dual-threat element to the position, but he hasn’t been able to pass the ball effectively, and it’s going to hinder the Irish until it improves. Drew Pyne did come in and lead a touchdown pass, but he also threw a costly interception. Freeman has a decision to make, but there’s still plenty of time on the clock.
Buchner has passed for 378 yards with two interceptions, he also leads the team in rushing with 62 yards and two touchdowns.
The fact that Buchner leads the team in rushing with 62 yards is a wild statement itself. There’s talent in the backfield with veteran Chris Tyree and Audric Estime, but they’ve both combined for just 99 yards. Look for Notre Dame to establish the run game this weekend before a pair of tough road games against UNC and BYU.
Tight End U has another one with Michael Mayer. The junior tight end is on-pace to lead the Fighting Irish again after being one of the lone bright spots over the first two weeks. Mayer caught five passes in the opener against Ohio State, and he brought eihgt receptions for 103 yards in the loss to Marshall, including a 30-yard touchdown.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- CAL are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- ND are 3-3 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Golden Bears are 3-5 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Fighting Irish are 5-3 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 3 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
Notre Dame has been through it over the past twelve months. From failed CFB Playoff aspirations, to the abrupt exit of Brian Kelly, to the embarrassing home opening loss to Marshall last weekend. It’s time for a little luck to swing the Irish’s way, and they’ve got a perfect opportunity to stop the bleeding before things get worse. With North Carolina and BYU looming in the coming weeks, now is the time for Notre Dame to sharpen up and figure things out a bit. We like the process of redemption here, look for Marcus Freeman to earn his first win at the helm in comfortable fashion.
Take Notre Dame’s spread this Saturday afternoon, give the manageable o40.5 a look as well.
4* Free Week 3 NCAA Betting Pick: Notre Dame -10.5
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