Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-1) vs. California Golden Bears (3-3)
October 17, 2026 10:30 pm EDT
The Line: California Golden Bears +9.5 / Wake Forest Demon Deacons -9.5; Over/Under: 53.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Cal Golden Bears meet in week 7 college football action from California Memorial Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Cal Golden Bears Prediction.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Recap
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons come into this game looking to add on to their 38-14 win over NC State last time out to sit at 5-1 this season. After this game, Wake Forest will head home for a game against Virginia.
Demon Deacons Win 3 Straight
Gio Lopez has thrown for 1,680 yards, 13 touchdowns and an interception on 67.4% passing while Deuce Lawrence leads Wake Forest in rushing with 281 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ty Clark III sits behind Lawrence on the ground with 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. Carlos Hernandez leads the Demon Deacons in receiving with 720 yards and 49 catches along with 4 touchdowns, while Jack Foley trails with 328 yards and 17 catches along with 3 touchdowns. On defense, Vincent Firenze has a team-high 44 tackles while Wake Forest’s defense as a whole has combined for 17 sacks and 2 interceptions.
Cal Golden Bears Recap
The Cal Golden Bears come into this game looking to add on to their 25-20 win over Virginia Tech last time out to sit at 3-3 this season. After this game, Cal will head on the road for a game against SMU.
Golden Bears Snap Two-Game Skid
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown for 1,180 yards, 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 65.2% passing while Adam Mohammed leads California in rushing with 336 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ashten Emory sits behind Mohammed on the ground with 149 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ian Strong leads the Golden Bears in receiving with 396 yards and 28 catches along with a touchdown, while Chase Hendricks trails with 361 yards and 39 catches along with 2 touchdowns. On defense, AJ Tuitele has a team-high 33 tackles while California’s defense as a whole has combined for 11 sacks and 5 interceptions.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ California Golden Bears Betting Trends: Week 7
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- The home team has won three of California’s last four games.
- California has covered the spread in each of its last three October games against AP-ranked teams.
- California has won the first half in four of its last five games against teams from North Carolina.
- California has won the first quarter in each of its last five games against teams from North Carolina.
Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win
- California has lost each of its last nine October games against AP-ranked teams.
- Wake Forest has won each of its last nine October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Wake Forest has covered the spread in eight of its last nine October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- California has failed to cover the spread in 12 of its last 15 games in California.
- Wake Forest has won the first quarter in seven of its last eight games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
- Wake Forest has won the first half in each of its last eight games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Wake Forest’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of California’s last four October home games against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
California Golden Bears Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 7, Kingston Lopa ranks 1st amongst FBS players for interceptions (5) this season.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 7, Carlos Hernandez ranks 1st amongst FBS players for receptions (49) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- California ranks 134th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (92.8).
- California ranks T134th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (83.3).
- Wake Forest ranks T10th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage against this season (22.2).
- Wake Forest ranks 16th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (6.8).
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Cal Golden Bears Prediction
I’m on Wake Forest here. Cal has to keep rolling without JKS and that’s a big loss for a Cal team that I didn’t have high hopes for to begin with, even after the Virginia Tech win in all honesty. Wake has been rolling offensively and while these cross-country treks have been landmine spots in the past, I think that Wake takes care of business in this one and the Demon Deacons get a road win and cover here.
