If you like a matchup of vastly different styles, then Saturday’s Pac-12 matchup between No. 18 Utah and California is for you. The Utes are a fairly conservative offensive team and very good on defense. The Bears are one of the worst defenses in the nation but are No. 2 in total offense and have the top passing QB in Davis Webb. Cal is a slight home favorite on college football lines.
When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 6 PM ET
Where: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.
TV: Pac-12 Network
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Cal -2 (67)
Utah forced and recovered fumbles on USC’s first three offensive possessions. Sunia Tauteoli, Chase Hansen and Pasoni Tasini each forced a fumble while the recoveries went to Marcus Williams, Hansen and Hunter Dimick. Williams has two fumble recoveries this season. The Utes scored their first 10 points off the turnovers.
Utah raised its record to 7-2 in home blackout games, beating TCU (2008), Wyoming (2009), Oregon State (2011), Cal (2012), USC (2014 and 2016), Oregon State (2015), and losing to TCU (2010) and UCLA (2013).
The Utes are “hopeful” that all-Pac- 12 defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei can play this week after the junior was injured in the first half against USC. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is one win away from career victory No. 100. He is 99-46 in his 12th season at the helm. There are 23 active FBS head coaches with 100 career victories.
Utah is off to a 4-0 start for the second-straight season and the fourth time in Whittingham’s head coaching career. Utah finished 13-0 in 2008, won its first eight games in 2010 and won its first six games last year. Utah is playing in Berkeley for the first time since joining the Pac-12 six years ago. Utah’s game against the Bears in 2011 was played in San Francisco’s AT&T Park.
Chad Hansen ended the night with 10 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, his fourth straight 100- yard receiving performance. He now has 50 receptions on the season. Both Hansen and Demetris Robertson surpassed 100 yards receiving. Hansen had 10 catches for 110 yards and a score, while Robertson finished with 4 receptions for 103 yards and two TDs.
The Utes boast the No. 13 pass efficiency defense in the country (99.06), and last year frustrated then- quarterback Jared Goff into five picks in a nationally televised win in Salt Lake City.
Utes are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Golden Bears are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Golden Bears are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Take Cal and the
over in NCAA betting.
Take a Closer Look at the Utah at California Betting Pick, Prediction & TV Info
When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 6 PM ET
Where: Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.
TV: Pac-12 Network
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Cal -2 (67)
Why Bet on Utah?
Utah (4-0) comes off a 31-27 home win over USC. Senior wide receiver Tim Patrick caught an 18-yard touchdown with 16 seconds remaining for the comeback win. Junior quarterback Troy Williams scored his first career rushing touchdown in the first quarter on a 10-yard run. He went 21-for- 34 passing for 270 yards on the night with two touchdown passes (0 INT). Williams had his third 200-yard passing game of the season. Zack Moss led Utah in rushing for the second-straight game with 90 yards on 23 carries (3.9 average). Utah went 4-for- 4 on fourth-down conversions and earned a 3-1 edge in turnover margin over USC.Utah forced and recovered fumbles on USC’s first three offensive possessions. Sunia Tauteoli, Chase Hansen and Pasoni Tasini each forced a fumble while the recoveries went to Marcus Williams, Hansen and Hunter Dimick. Williams has two fumble recoveries this season. The Utes scored their first 10 points off the turnovers.
Utah raised its record to 7-2 in home blackout games, beating TCU (2008), Wyoming (2009), Oregon State (2011), Cal (2012), USC (2014 and 2016), Oregon State (2015), and losing to TCU (2010) and UCLA (2013).
The Utes are “hopeful” that all-Pac- 12 defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei can play this week after the junior was injured in the first half against USC. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is one win away from career victory No. 100. He is 99-46 in his 12th season at the helm. There are 23 active FBS head coaches with 100 career victories.
Utah is off to a 4-0 start for the second-straight season and the fourth time in Whittingham’s head coaching career. Utah finished 13-0 in 2008, won its first eight games in 2010 and won its first six games last year. Utah is playing in Berkeley for the first time since joining the Pac-12 six years ago. Utah’s game against the Bears in 2011 was played in San Francisco’s AT&T Park.
Why Bet on California?
Cal (2-2) comes off a 51-41 loss to Arizona State. The Sun Devils’ Laiu Moekiola returned an interception by Cal’s Webb 28 yards for a touchdown to put the Sun Devils ahead 44-34 with 2:52 remaining. Webb’s fifth touchdown pass of the night, 26 yards to Demetris Robertson, cut the lead to 44-41 with 54 seconds to play. But D.J. Calhoun grabbed the onside kick try and ran untouched to the end zone. Webb completed 32-of- 56 passes for 478 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Webb has now thrown for 18 touchdown passes and 1,837 yards in his first four games at Cal. Webb has passed for at least 400 yards in three of four games this season; the only time he did not meet the total was in the win over Texas when he finished with 396 yards through the air.Chad Hansen ended the night with 10 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, his fourth straight 100- yard receiving performance. He now has 50 receptions on the season. Both Hansen and Demetris Robertson surpassed 100 yards receiving. Hansen had 10 catches for 110 yards and a score, while Robertson finished with 4 receptions for 103 yards and two TDs.
The Utes boast the No. 13 pass efficiency defense in the country (99.06), and last year frustrated then- quarterback Jared Goff into five picks in a nationally televised win in Salt Lake City.
My Betting Pick
Utes are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.Utes are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
Golden Bears are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 40 points in their previous game.
Golden Bears are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Take Cal and the
over in NCAA betting.
