It’s a rematch of the 2018 Cheez-It Bowl between the California Golden Bears (0-1) and TCU Horned Frogs (1-0) Saturday. Kickoff from Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the California at TCU odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Cal program has spiraled since it fielded a pair of elite defenses in 2018 and 2019. The Golden Bears are just 1-4 dating back to last season after they lost to Nevada 22-17 last week as a 3-point favorite. California ranked 125th on offense with 4.5 yards per play last year, and it didn’t fare much better in its opener with 330 total yards on 65 plays.
TCU had a productive tune-up against FCS Duquesne, blowing out the Dukes 45-3. Its top-40 defense from last year was stout and allowed just 137 yards, while star QB Max Duggan went 14-for-19 for 207 yards before watching the shortened second half from the sideline.
California at TCU odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: California +360 (bet $100 to win $360) | TCU -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): California +11.5 (-115) | TCU -11.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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California at TCU odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
TCU 34, California 17
Money line
The Horned Frogs are the clear favorite but at -500, there isn’t enough return on investment to pick them straight up. PASS on the money line.
Against the spread
TCU was a legit top-10 contender entering the season and we saw why in its opener. Duggan is the star on offense and he’s surrounded by an elite receiving cast with an experienced offensive line in front of him. Cal’s issues on offense don’t appear to be going away, making it hard for the Golden Bears to keep this one close on the road in Fort Worth.
California has covered just once in its last five games, while TCU has won or pushed in each of its last four. Take TCU -11.5 (-105).
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Over/Under
The line properly reflects a California ball-control offense that isn’t designed to score many points going up against an excellent TCU defense. That said, 48.5 is a low number that TCU went Over in five of its last six games in 2020. It likely would have gone Over last week if the two teams didn’t agree to shorten the second half.
Look for Cal to score just enough to push this OVER 47.5 (-108).
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