California 2018 Betting Odds
- To win the National Title: +200000
- To win the Pac-12: +6000
- To win the Pac-12 North: +2700
- Win Total: 6.5 (over -105, under -125)
Always shop for the best line.
California 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds
The Action Network Projected Wins: 6.0
Bet To Watch
California Under 6.5 (-125)
There's a lot to like about Cal despite a 5-7 record with no bowl in Justin Wilcox's first year. The Bears rank 19th overall in returning production, including every offensive starter and the entire secondary. The defensive front seven will need to improve for Cal to become a real contender in the Pac-12 North, though.
The competition is neck and neck through fall camp between quarterbacks Brandon McIlwain and Ross Bowers. Either quarterback will have Vic Wharton and Kanawai Noa as targets, which will keep that passing downs success rate going (ranked 18th in 2017).
Kanawai Noa is the man! What a catch pic.twitter.com/SlYgYeMso7
— Barstool Berkeley (@BarstoolBerk) October 28, 2017
Cal closed 2017 losing four of its last five, with three of the losses coming by a field goal or less.
Any team that has an offensive line that can control the line of scrimmage and clock will give this Cal defense fits. There are plenty of talented rushing attacks on this Bears schedule, including BYU, Oregon, Washington, USC and Stanford.
That list does not include games with Arizona and Colorado, which both have quarterbacks who run frequently. The Bears will beat teams that are pass-first, but that is not enough for seven wins. I expect the Bears to finish with six wins, so I'll give a win total play of Cal Under 6.5 (-125).
What else you need to know about California
Cal is 9-3 against the spread as a home team since 2016, and will immediately be challenged by North Carolina in Week 1 as an 8-point favorite. Make sure you get caught up on all the suspension information and how it relates to the Tar Heels vs. Cal opener.
