The Clemson Tigers (2-1, 1-0 ACC) visit the Cal Golden Bears (2-1, 1-0) Friday at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. Kickoff is at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze college football odds around the Clemson vs. Cal odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Clemson has won back-to-back games since dropping its opening game after handling the North Carolina Tar Heels 28-20 as a 2.5-point home favorite with the Over (44.5) hitting. QB Tait Reynolds threw for 215 yards with a TD and INT, while RB Gideon Davidson carried the ball 16 times for 105 yards and a TD.
Cal has also won back-to-back games after dominating the Wagner Seahawks 49-7 last week, but failing to cover as a 58.5-point home
favorite as the Under (65.5) hit. QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 413 yards with 3 TDs, while RB Adam Mohammed had 13 carries for 91 yards and 2 receptions for 78 yards and a TD.
This is the second meeting between the schools and the first as ACC members. Cal beat Clemson 37-13 in the 1991 Citrus Bowl.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Clemson at Cal odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:32 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Clemson -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Cal -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clemson -1 (-110) | Cal +1 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -108 | U: -110)
Clemson at Cal picks and predictions
Prediction
Clemson 31, Cal 27
Moneyline
PASS.
With such a slim spread, the moneyline has minimal value in this matchup.
Against the spread
BET CLEMSON (-1).
Clemson is trying to climb back into the rankings while Dabo Swinney is feeling the mounting pressure to coach for his job. The Tigers battled back from a 14-3 early deficit last week before settling in and pulling off the comeback victory. If Reynolds and company can limit turnovers and control the tempo, the Tigers should find themselves as winners on the West Coast against a Cal team that has not faced much true competition.
For the spread, a win for the Tigers all but guarantees a cover.
Over/Under
BET OVER 50.5 (-108).
Both teams like to move the ball for explosive plays. While neither has seen huge offensive performances in this young season, these teams are so evenly matched that they we could see a blow-for-blow performance leading to a lot of points. Both possess the tools to move the ball in an effective manner, while both defenses have shown inadequacies. While neither team should be expected to carry the offensive load, a combined score will suit Over bettors well.
Best prop bet
CLEMSON: TEAM TOTAL POINTS 24.5 (-110 DraftKings Sportsbook).
The Tigers gained some real momentum with their season last week in the comeback victory in which they totaled 28 points, despite turning the ball over twice. Reynolds went 20 of 29, while the team ran the ball for 186 yards and 2 TDs. With their backs against the wall, on the road, expect to see a Tigers' team that is looking to strike early and often.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Clemson Tigers at Cal Golden Bears odds, picks and predictions
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