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The 8th-ranked Miami Hurricanes (5-0, 1-0 ACC) visit the California Golden Bears (3-1, 0-1) Saturday in an ACC matchup at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Miami vs. California odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes survived last Friday against Virginia Tech, winning 38-34. On a Hail Mary with zeroes on the clock, the Hokies appeared to have a game-winning TD. That was the call on the field, but after a lengthy review, the play was overturned, giving Miami the win.
While the initial call on the field appeared to be incorrect, there also didn’t appear to be enough evidence on the replay to overturn the call on the field. It was controversial in that respect, and a reason why the system doesn’t always work properly.
Miami has scored 38 or more points in all 5 games, with the Over going 4-0-1 this season. The Canes are also 2-0 against the spread (ATS) in 2 true road games, with the Over 1-0-1 in those outings.
Cal started off 3-0 SU, including a 21-14 road win at Auburn on Sept. 7 as an 11.5-point underdog. However, it lost its conference opener at Florida State on Sept. 21 by a 14-9 score, failing to cover as a 2.5-point underdog as the Under (44.5) cashed.
The Golden Bears are 2-2 ATS on the season, with the Under going 4-0.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Miami at Cal odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Miami -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Cal +325 (bet $100 to win $325)
- Against the spread: Miami -10.5 (-110) | Cal +10.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Miami at Cal picks and predictions
Prediction
Miami 34, Cal 17
Moneyline
Miami (-400) will cost you 4 times your potential return, and that’s just a little too much risk for not nearly enough reward. As far as a multi-leg parlay is concerned, tossing The U into a ticket with 6 or 7 teams can be excused, but no few than that.
PASS.
Against the spread
MIAMI -10.5 (-110) faces a tough cross-country trip against California +10.5 (-110), a team which has played a pretty good brand of defense this season.
The Golden Bears will have their work cut out trying to shut down Heisman hopeful QB Cam Ward and the Canes high-octane offense, however.
Cal has allowed just 287.5 total yards, 182.3 passing yards and 105.3 rushing yards per game, and the 12.8 PPG allowed ranks 12th in the nation. But, Miami isn’t UC Davis, Auburn, San Diego State or FSU. The Canes are a high-octane unit capable of scoring close to as much as the 4 teams have combined (51) against Cal.
Over/Under
UNDER 53.5 (-110) is the lean in this ACC battle near the Pacific, but go with a half-unit play at most.
Miami will certainly do its part, but the concern is Cal’s offense, which could muster just 9 points against lowly Florida State.
The Under is 4-0 in 4 games for the Golden Bears, and that makes the low attractive.
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