Free Week 1 Prediction: Tar Heels vs Golden Bears Odds
Looking for North Carolina Tar Heels vs. California Golden Bears free picks? Week 1 betting sees the Tar Heels taking on the Golden Bears on Saturday September, 1, 2018 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions like this Hawaii Colorado State free pick.
College Football Handicapping: Week 1
(0-0) North Carolina Tar Heels vs. California Golden Bears (0-0)
Date: Saturday, September 1
Time: 4:30 pm EST
Venue: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California
NCAA Football Spread: Cal -4
NCAA Betting Total: 58½
Live CFB Odds
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For TodayClick here to view… CFB ATS Stats & NCAAF Betting Insight for this game!
North Carolina and California are getting ready to face off not just for the first game of the season, but for the first time as opponents.
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UNC and Cal have never played one another, but that will change at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 1 when these two kick off their respective 2018 college football seasons.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Last season, the Tar Heels were just 83rd in scoring in the nation. They posted a total of 26.0 points per contest.
As far as total offense goes, North Carolina was just 99th in the country accumulating 4,435 yards on the season. They were 70th in yards per game through the air and 90th yards per game on the ground.
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Defensively, UNC was only good enough for 89th in the nation while giving up 31.3 points per contest.
In terms of total defense, the Tar Heels were 99th, giving up 5,235 yards on the season. Two thousand six hundred and seventy seven of those yards were through the air (No. 64 in the country), while 2,558 of those yards came on the ground (110th in the country).
California Golden Bears
Last season, the California Golden Bears were 73rd in the country in scoring, going for 27.8 points per contest. They were 92nd in total yards gained, 40th in yards per game and 109th in yards per contest on the ground.
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Defensively, Cal gave up 28.4 points per game. That number was only good enough for 79th in the nation.
In terms of total defense, the Golden Bears gave up 5,159 yards on the year. That put them in 93rd for the season.
Through the air, California gave up 265.8 yards per game. That number was only good enough for 115th in the country.
On the ground, Cal gave up 164.1 points per contest. That number put them in the 61st ranking, sandwiching them between the 60th-ranked Missouri Tigers and the 62nd-ranked Texas A&M Aggies.
Free NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Under is 10-3 in UNC last 13 games as an underdog.
- Over is 6-2 in UNC last 8 games in September.
- UNC are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Free Week 1 NCAA Football Pick
If you’re looking for a low-key, under-the-radar game to watch on opening weekend that has more excitement to it than the curb appeal suggests, UNC vs. Cal is the contest for you.
This one should come down to the wire.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: UNC +4 (Small lean OVER)
Cal’s defense isn’t going to be a difference-maker in this one, but it should be good enough to go up against a Tar Heels offense that’s going to be inconsistent.
That doesn’t mean UNC won’t break out against Cal’s D for a few big pays or a decent scoring outing, but the Golden Bears should come away victorious (in close fashion) by forcing North Carolina into mistakes during crucial moments.
Week 1 Free Score Prediction: California Golden Bears 33 – North Carolina 30
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