Free NCAA Football Prediction: Golden Bears vs. Buffaloes Odds
Looking for California Golden Bears vs. Colorado Buffaloes free picks? College football betting sees the Golden Bears taking on the Buffaloes on Saturday, October 15th at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 7 predictions like this CAL-COL free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 7
(3-2) California Golden Bears vs. Colorado Buffaloes (0-5)
Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2022
Time: 2:00 pm EST
Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, CO
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: CAL -14.5 | COL +14.5 (Bet Now!)
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Golden Bears -650 | Buffaloes +450
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 48.5
The California Golden Bears will travel to Boulder and take on the Colorado Buffaloes from Folsom Field this Saturday afternoon on the Pac-12 Network. The Golden Bears will open as the 14-point favorites here on the road, with the total opening at 48.5.
HISTORY: California and Colorado have faced off sporadically since becoming Pac-12 rivals back in 2012. Cal leads the all-time series 7-4, after winning last year’s matchup in Berkeley, 26-3.
Cal Golden Bears
Cal has jumped out to an ideal 2-0 start, and they nearly upset Notre Dame in South Bend in Week 3. The Golden Bears bounced back and defeated Arizona in their Pac-12 opener the following Saturday, but they found themselves in trouble on the road again last time out.
In Week 5, Cal lost to Washington State, 28-9, dropping to 2-2 against the spread this season.
California is scoring 25.8 points per game, while allowing 22.1 ppg.
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 threw for three touchdowns in the win over Arizona, and look for him to bounce back after a rough showing versus the Cougars.
Plummer is up to 1,248 passing yards with eight touchdowns to two interceptions through five games.
Jaydn Ott is doing his best Jahvid Best impression early. The redshirt freshman has received the majority of the work here in his first season, and after a 284-yard outburst versus Arizona, he will surely give the Buffs a handful here. Ott leads Cal with 532 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Plummer has spread the ball out pretty well thus far. Jeremiah Hunter has totaled team leads in catches (27) and receiving yards (414), after a 109-yard outing against Wazzu. Freshman wideouts J.Michael Sturdivant is second on the team with 23 catches and 296 receiving yards.
Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado has struggled out of the gate and there’s been little side of improvement. Non-conference losses to TCU, Minnesota, and in-state foe Air Force docked them at a 0-3 record early, and it’s continued into Pac-12 play. Karl Dorrell was relieved of his duties, after a lost to his former school UCLA in their conference opener. A trip to Tucson did not end well, as another blowout was delivered.
In Week 5, Colorado lost to Arizona, 43-20, dropping to 0-5 ATS this season.
Colorado is scoring 13.4 points per game, while allowing 43.2 ppg.
Owen McCown has been handed the keys early after J.T. Shrout failed to deliver in his first two starts. Owen, son of NFL journeyman QB Josh McCown, has endured his growing pains early, but he could be a sign in the right direction for a fallen program. McCown has thrown for 496 passing yards with four touchdowns (2 pass, 2 rush) to one interception through his first two starts.
Deion Smith hasn’t had much room or opportunity to run, but the junior running back leads CU with 195 yards rushing. Fifth-year senior Daniel Arias leads the team with 16 catches and 237 receiving yards.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- CAL are 3-3 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- COL are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Golden Bears are 3-5 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- Buffaloes are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Free Week 7 NCAA Football Final Analysis:
This midseason battle of states will pits both the Bears and Buffs in tough spots, fresh off of their bye weeks. Is Cal capable of beating any team by 15? Just how bad is the Colorado football program right now?
The Golden Bears may receive the benefit of the doubt here because it’s really bad in Boulder right now. Berkeley played well versus an emerging Notre Dame team on the road, and that effort alone gives them a edge coming into this Pac 12 matchup. The Buffaloes have nothing going offensively, and should be overpowered once again, pending a magical bye week.
Take Cal’s spread here, in hopes of another Colorado blowout.
4* Free Week 7 NCAA Betting Pick: California -14.5
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