The California Golden Bears (7-5) and Illinois Fighting Illini (6-6) square off in the Redbox Bowl. Kickoff at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., is set for 4 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the California-Illinois odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.
California vs. Illinois: Three things you need to know
1. Illinois makes its first bowl appearance since the Heart of Dallas Bowl back on Dec. 26, 2014. The Illini are looking for their first bowl win since beating UCLA in the 2011 Fight Hunger Bowl.
2. California will be playing its 14th bowl game inside the borders of its own state. The Golden Bears are just 4-8-1 SU in the past 13 bowl appearances in the state of California, however.
3. Cal is 1-4 ATS in the past five as a favorite, 1-4 ATS in the past five non-conference games and 1-4 ATS in the past five bowl games. Illinois is 5-0 ATS in the past five as an underdog, and 6-2 ATS in the past eight neutral-site appearances.
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California vs. Illinois: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.
Prediction
California 27, Illinois 24
Moneyline (ML)
California (-264) is a rather moderate favorite, but don’t expect the Golden Bears to run away from the Fighting Illini (+205). If you’re looking for an ML play, the Illini are much more attractive, paying just over 2-to-1 (Every $1 wagered on the Illinois ML will profit $2.05 if it wins).
Against the Spread (ATS)
ILLINOIS (+5.5, +105) is the way to go. This one should be a very entertaining and close battle. This season, the Illini just found ways to cover, although bettors will have some pause after they inexplicably got trucked in their season finale against the lowly Northwestern Wildcats.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 41.5 (-129) is the play, just make sure you forget that Cal played to a 10-7 loss last season in the Cheez-It Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs. This game won’t be a track meet, but a line of just over 40 is too low.
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