California Golden Bears (6-5) vs. SMU Mustangs (10-1)
November 30, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: SMU Mustangs -13.5 / California Golden Bears +13.5; Over/Under: +57.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cal Golden Bears and the SMU Mustangs meet in week 14 college football action from the Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an SMU vs Cal Prediction.
Cal Recap
The Cal Golden Bears come into this one looking to build on a 24-21 win over Stanford last time out to improve to 6-5 on the year.
Golden Bears Trying To Finish Regular Season Strong
Fernando Mendoza has thrown for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions on 68.7% passing while Jaivian Thomas has 598 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Kadarius Calloway rushed for 124 yards while Jaydn Ott has 264 rushing yards and 4 TDs as well on the year. Jack Endries has a team-high 48 receptions for 555 yards and 2 touchdowns while Nyziah Hunter has 35 receptions for 493 yards and 5 touchdowns. Trond Grizzell has 384 receiving yards while Jonathan Brady has 378 receiving yards and two more receivers have 200+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Teddye Buchanan has a team-high 105 total tackles with 5 sacks while Xavier Carlton has a team-high 9 sacks on the year. Nohl Williams has a team-high 7 interceptions this year while Marcus Harris has a pair of interceptions. As a team, Cal’s defense has combined for 31 sacks and 17 interceptions on the year.
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- California has won five of its last six games in November.
- The road team has covered the spread in five of California’s last six games.
SMU Recap
The SMU Mustangs come into this game looking to fortify their case to the college football playoff committee after improving to 10-1 with a 33-7 win over Virginia last time out.
Mustangs Surging To ACC Title Game
Kevin Jennings has thrown for 2,521 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions on 66.7% passing while Preston Stone has 346 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and an interception on 59.1% passing. Brashard Smith has a team-high 1,049 rushing yards along with 13 touchdowns while Roderick Daniels Jr. has a team-high 460 receiving yards on 24 grabs. Key’Shawn Smith has 451 receiving yards with 4 TDs and Jordan Hudson and Moochie Dixon each have 300+ receiving yards including Hudson’s 5 touchdown grabs. Three more SMU receivers have 200+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Isaiah Smith has a team-high 6.5 sacks while Jahfari Harvey has 5.5 sacks and Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia each have a team-high 3 interceptions. As a unit, SMU has combined for 32 sacks and 14 interceptions as well on the year.
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- SMU has won each of its last 17 games against conference opponents.
- California has lost each of its last 11 games against AP-ranked teams.
- SMU has covered the spread in five of its last six home games against conference opponents.
SMU vs Cal Prediction
I’m on SMU here. I really wanted to take a shot on Cal as a double-digit underdog as that’s where the Golden Bears have been money under Justin Wilcox. However, the Mustangs haven’t secured anything yet, and while they’re in according to the latest college football playoff rankings, the Mustangs want to keep winning by margin in case they don’t take home the ACC conference championship. Cal had their big win to get bowl eligibility against Stanford last week and there’s no motivation for them to play spoiler here. Give me SMU.
