The Cal Golden Bears have won 3 straight games to make their first bowl game since 2019. The Texas Tech Red Raiders have split their last 6 games and have a chance to win three bowl games in three years. Let’s preview the Independence Bowl and give out a Cal Golden Bears vs Texas Tech Red Raiders prediction.

Cal Golden Bears Betting Preview 

The Cal Golden Bears beat Washington State, Stanford and UCLA during this winning streak. Fernando Mendoza is completing 62.4 percent of his passes for 1,447 yards, 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Jeremiah Hunter and Trond Grizzell have combined for 1,179 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while Taj Davis has 39 receptions. The Cal Golden Bears ground game is averaging 181.2 yards per contest, and Jaydn Ott leads the way with 1,260 yards and 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Cal is allowing 32.7 points and 415.9 yards per game. Kaleb Elarms-Orr leads the Cal Golden Bears with 87 tackles, David Reese has 6.5 sacks and Nohl Williams has 2 interceptions.

California Golden Bears Team Facts

• The favorite has won 17 of California’s last 18 games.
• California has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four matches when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• California has won the first half in 16 of its last 17 games against non-conference opponents.
• Five of California’s last six games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

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Texas Tech Red Raiders Betting Preview 

The Texas Tech Red Raiders most recently lost to Texas but beat UCF, Kansas, and TCU previously. Behren Morton is completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,498 yards, 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Xavier White and Jerand Bradley have combined for 926 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, while Myles Price has 43 receptions. The Texas Tech Red Raiders ground game is averaging 166 yards per contest, and Tahj Brooks leads the way with 1,443 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively, Texas Tech is allowing 27 points and 394.3 yards per game. Ben Roberts leads the Texas Tech Red Raiders with 100 tackles, Tony Bradford Jr. has 4 sacks and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson has 4 interceptions.

Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Facts

• Texas Tech has won eight of its last 10 matches when playing with a rest advantage.
• Texas Tech has covered the spread in six of its last seven matches when playing with a rest advantage.
• Texas Tech has won the first half in seven of its last nine games against non-conference opponents.
• Texas Tech has won the first quarter in six of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
• Each of Texas Tech’s last four games against non-AP-ranked teams at neutral venues have gone UNDER the total points line.

Cal vs Texas Tech prediction

I’d assume Cal will be motivated in this spot considering it finished the season strong with 3 straight wins to become bowl eligible. With that said, Cal doesn’t play a lick of defense, and it’s why the Golden Bears got rocked anytime playing a decent team. Auburn, Oregon State, Utah, USC, Oregon all had their way with Cal this season due to a defense that’s 109th in total defense and 113th in scoring defense. Texas Tech is battle tested, physical, can run the football and has simply done more against better competition. In fact, the Red Raiders only lost to Oregon by 8 points, while Cal gave up 63 points. Laying less than a field goal. Give me Texas Tech.