Week 1: California vs UC Davis 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The California Golden Bears and UC Davis Aggies clash Saturday afternoon in week 1 of college football action at California Memorial Stadium. The UC Davis Aggies won 8 games last year and enter the sixth season under coach Dan Hawkins. The California Golden Bears won 5 games last year and enter the sixth season under coach Justin Wilcox.

The UC Davis Aggies averaged 28.3 points and 231.2 yards per game last season. UC Davis allowed an average of 22.7 points and 242.5 yards per game last season. Miles Hastings should become the starting quarterback after 215 pass attempts last season. McCallan Castles and CJ Hutton is a returning receiving duo that combined 700 yards and 8 touchdowns, while Ulonzo Gilliam Jr. led the Aggies with 900 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Defensively, Teddye Buchanan returns after leading UC Davis with 74 tackles, Cam Trimble had 5 sacks and Jaylin White had 3 interceptions. The UC Davis Aggies are expected to be one of the better teams in the FCS this season, as they return a majority of last year’s roster, including all of their key defenders. UC Davis is projected to be in the middle of a competitive Big Sky. This is a massive measuring stick contest for the Aggies who have expectations this season. 

The California Golden Bears averaged 23.8 points and 385.8 yards per game last season. Cal allowed an average of 22.3 points and 366.3 yards per game last season. Jack Plummer becomes the starting quarterback after transferring from Purdue and racking up 26 career touchdowns. Jeremiah Hunter and Damien Moore are a returning receiving duo that combined 400 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Chris Street had 100 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Daniel Scott returns after leading California with 82 tackles, Ethan Saunders had 3.5 sacks and Nate Rutchena had 3 interceptions. The California Golden Bears have a lot of production from last year they need to replace, and it may lead to some early growing pains. Of course, a lot of Cal’s concerns and inexperience could be masked if Plummer is able to hit the ground running at quarterback with his new team. 

The Aggies are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 road games and 12-2 ATS in their last 14 games overall. The Golden Bears are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Big Sky and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The under is 6-1 in Aggies last 7 games overall. The under is 6-2 in Golden Bears last 8 games overall.

The UC Davis Aggies aren’t exactly a pushover in the FCS, but they certainly don’t have the talent of a Cal. Yes, the California Golden Bears have question marks entering the season, but they also have a proven quarterback who is capable of putting up points in a hurry. Cal should be able to find consistent offense and eventually pull away. I’ll lay the chalk with the Golden Bears.