California Golden Bears (3-5) vs. NC State Wolfpack (3-4)
October 31, 2026 12:00 pm EDT
The Line: NC State Wolfpack -265 / California Golden Bears 215; Over/Under: 56.5
(Get latest betting odds)
NC State vs California Prediction
NC State comes into this matchup on a two game losing streak and they have allowed at least 28 points in five straight games. The Wolfpack just fired their coach and this season has been a huge disappointment. California has lost four of their last five games and they were awful in the second half last week. The Golden Bears have allowed 39+ points in three of their last four games, so neither defense is very good. Take the over in this game between two leaky defenses.
NC State Wolfpack Betting Preview
The NC State Wolfpack are 3-4 (1-3) this season after they lost to Stanford by a score of 31-28 last week. NC State trailed 21-14 at halftime, but they did win the second half 14-10 in the loss. The Wolfpack were out gained by a total of 477-381, went 8-14 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at zero in the game. CJ Bailey threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 59 yards on nine carries. Deandre Desinor led the receivers with three receptions for 79 yards and one score in the loss.
Prior to that game, NC State lost to Wake Forest by a score of 38-14, but did defeat Louisville by a score of 31-28 before that. The Wolfpack have scored 32.3 points per game with 257.6 passing yards and 162.3 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 28.1 points against per game this season. CJ Bailey has thrown for 1,763 yards with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions, while Keenan Jackson has 30 receptions for 456 yards and six scores this season.
California Golden Bears Betting Preview
The California Golden Bears are 3-5 (2-3) this year after they lost to SMU by a score of 59-20 in their last game. California led 20-17 at halftime, but they allowed 42 points in the second half for the ugly loss. The Golden Bears were out gained by a total of 492-305, went 5-16 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at zero in the game. JKS threw for 265 yards and one touchdown, while Chase Hendricks caught seven passes for 83 yards and one score. Ashten Emory rushed 14 times for 27 yards in the game.
Prior to that loss, California lost to Wake Forest by a score of 41-7, but did defeat Virginia Tech by a score of 25-20 before that. The Golden Bears have scored 23.4 points per game with 285.3 passing yards and 84.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 31.6 points against per game this season. JKS has thrown for 1,555 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions this year.
Why the NC State Wolfpack will win
- California has lost each of its last 10 road games in October.
- NC State has won seven of its last eight games at Carter-Finley Stadium.
- California has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six October games as a road underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The favorite has covered the spread in four of California’s last five games.
- NC State has won the first half in each of its last eight games at Carter-Finley Stadium.
- NC State has won the first quarter in eight of its last nine games at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- NC State has lost four of its last five games in October.
- NC State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games.
- The underdog has covered the spread in three of NC State’s last four games.
- The road team has won the first half in four of California’s last five games.
- California has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against teams from North Carolina.
Total Points Facts
- Each of NC State’s last five October games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of California’s last six games as a road underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
NC State Wolfpack Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 9, Will Wilson leads NC State for touchdowns (8) this season.
California Golden Bears Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 9, Kingston Lopa ranks T1st amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- NC State is one of only six FBS teams with 100% success rate on field goals and extra points this season.
- NC State ranks T132nd among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (9.0).
- California ranks 138th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (91.7).
- California ranks 137th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (84.0).
