NC State Wolfpack (3-4) vs. California Golden Bears (3-3)
October 19, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: California Golden Bears -10 / NC State Wolfpack +10; Over/Under: +46.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The NC State Wolfpack and the Cal Golden Bears meet in week 8 college football action from Cal Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an California vs NC State Prediction.
NC State Recap
The NC State Wolfpack come into this one looking to rebound from back-to-back losses, sitting at 3-4 on the year after a 24-17 loss at the hands of Syracuse last time out. After this game, NC State will have a bye week before going home for a game against Stanford.
Wolfpack Looking To Get Back On Track
Grayson McCall has thrown for 518 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 66.3% passing while CJ Bailey has thrown for 1,070 yards, 6 touchdowns and 4 INTs on 66.4% passing. Jordan Waters has rushed for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns while Kendrick Raphael has 277 rushing yards and 3 TDs and Hollywood Smothers also has 132 rushing yards as well on the year. Kevin Concepcion has a team-high 39 receptions for 312 yards and 4 touchdowns while Justin Joly has 22 grabs for a team-leading 352 yards and Noah Rogers has 288 receiving yards this season. On defense, Caden Fordham has 49 total tackles while Sean Brown has 50 total tackles including 3 sacks. As a unit, NC State’s defense has combined for 13 sacks and 6 interceptions so far this season.
Why the NC State Wolfpack will win
- California has lost each of its last nine games in October.
- NC State has won four of its last six games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams.
- California has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Cal Recap
The Cal Golden Bears come into this one looking to snap a three-game losing streak after a 17-15 loss to Pitt last time out to fall to 3-3 on the year. After this game, Cal will welcome Oregon State to town.
Golden Bears Looking To Snap Skid
Fernando Mendoza has thrown for 1,449 yards, 8 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 66.5% passing while Jaivian Thomas has 359 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Kadarius Calloway’s rushed for 103 yards while Jaydn Ott has 135 rushing yards and 3 TDs as well on the year. Jack Endries has a team-high 19 receptions for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns while Nyziah Hunter has 17 receptions for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns and 6 other Bears have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Teddye Buchanan has a team-high 56 total tackles with 4 sacks while Xavier Carlton has a team-high 4.5 sacks on the year. Nohl Williams has a team-high 6 interceptions this year while Marcus Harris has a pair of interceptions. As a team, Cal’s defense has combined for 14 sacks and 13 interceptions on the year.
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- The favorite has won each of California’s last 17 games at California Memorial Stadium.
- NC State has lost each of its last four road games in October.
- NC State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight games.
- California has covered the spread in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
California vs NC State Prediction
I’m on the Wolfpack with the points. It’s crazy that the Wolfpack still haven’t covered a spread this season, but I think this is as good of a time as any to get out from under that, as Cal just doesn’t profile as a double-digit favorite for me. I’m not saying the Golden Bears can’t win this game, but the Wolfpack just battled a Syracuse team that’s been much tougher to stop offensively than Cal, and I think NC State can keep this one within single digits. Give me the points with NC State.
