The Stanford Cardinal (0-2 overall, 0-2 Pac-12) visit the California Golden Bears (0-2, 0-2) Friday for a Pac-12 showdown in California Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Stanford-California college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Stanford at California: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Stanford -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | California +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread/ATS: Stanford -2.5 (-110) | California +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 51.5 (O: -115 | U: -106)
Stanford at California: Three things to know
- Stanford gave up 5 touchdowns for a second straight game as the Cardinal were downed 35-32 at Colorado. It was Stanford’s sixth-consecutive loss both straight up and ATS dating back to last season.
- California played better in a 31-27 loss to Oregon State last week than its first game against UCLA (a 34-10 loss), which was an impromptu meeting between the two because of COVID complications with scheduled opponents. The Golden Bears lost to the Beavers as 1.5-point favorites despite getting 8 more first downs and possessing the ball for 38:06.
- The Cardinal have won and covered in five straight games at California.
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Stanford at California: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Stanford 27, California 21
Money line (ML)
This might be a square thought process but Stanford is looking like Penn State West and I might be one of the many that refuse to believe the Cardinal will go 0-3.
David Shaw is too good of a head coach and California Memorial Stadium is a place where Stanford typically plays well. Stanford’s offense markedly improved with QB Davis Mills playing in the second game after he missed the first game due to COVID-19 protocol.
The main reason the Cardinal lost to Colorado last game (although they were never covering as 10-point favorites) is because they had to settle for 3 field goals instead of getting touchdowns. They should get a more complete effort in this game going against a California defense that is 114th in opponent’s yards per rush.
California’s offense gains the fewest yards per play in the Pac-12 by one full yard and is ranked 118th in havoc allowed. The Golden Bears have turned the ball over four times and have been tackled for a loss 18 times in two games. However, Stanford is just 123rd in havoc created.
GIMME STANFORD (-125) for 1 unit.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS on an ATS wager and stick with the money line. However, there are a few ATS trends that strengthen our Stanford money line play. California is 0-4 ATS in its last four games as a home favorite, but I prefer not to pay that kind of price for insurance in this spot.
Over/Under (O/U)
There are a few reasons why I lean UNDER 51.5 (-106). First, Stanford should be able get its ground game going and control the tempo more so compared to their previous outings.
Second, California’s offense is abysmal as it is 112th in points per drive and 118th in first down rate, according to Football Outsiders. Third, the Under is 4-0 in Golden Bears last four games as a home favorite.
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