The California Golden Bears (-2) are traveling east to take on the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Kickoff is pretty late for those on the East Coast (10:00 p.m. ET) and fans can catch the action by tuning in to FS1.
California Golden Bears at Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview
In this Saturday Pac-12 game, California is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Golden Bears are also receiving -130 moneyline odds while the Wildcats are +110. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 56. With the spread currently sitting at Arizona +2, oddsmakers are thinking this has the look of a 27-29 victory for the Golden Bears. If one team can create a bunch of points in the early stages, it would likely result in a reasonable betting opportunity in-game.
The original odds have shifted, as the line opened at -3. The game’s total has not changed after it was initially posted at 56.
The Golden Bears have gained 1.1 units so far in 2018 and are 1-2-1 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 1-2. The Wildcats have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 5.8 units. They’re 2-3 ATS and own an O/U record of 0-4.
The Golden Bears are 3-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against Pac-12 opponents. The Wildcats are 2-3 SU overall and 1-1 SU in conference play.
When these two teams faced one another last year, Arizona earned the win 45-44.
The Golden Bears lost to Oregon 42-24 in a thumping where the passing game the big culprit as the Golden Bears completed 16-of-31 passes for 186 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Brandon McIlwain went 11-for-21 for 128 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Chase Garbers completed four-of-nine for 44 yards and two interceptions. Patrick Laird (92 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller McIlwain (123 yards on 15 carries, one TD) led the ground attack. Vic Wharton III (six receptions, 68 yards) and Kanawai Noa (four catches, 46 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Arizona just dropped a 24-20 game to USC. The team’s defense allowed the Trojans to rush for 253 yards on 47 attempts, including three rush TDs. Aca’Cedric Ware was outstandingfor the Trojans, recording 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 attempts. For Arizona, Khalil Tate completed 16-of-33 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. J.J. Taylor (50 rushing yards on 18 attempts) and the signal-caller Tate (38 yards on 13 carries) mounted the running attack as Shun Brown (five receptions, 81 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Each team has a similar run-pass ratio on the season. California’s run the ball on 56.5 percent of its offensive possessions while Arizona has an overall rush percentage of 57.5. The Golden Bears have produced 195 rush yards per game and have five scores on the ground this year. The Wildcats are putting up 217 rush yards per game (270 in conference) and have 10 total rushing TDs.
It seems like the Wildcats should have the edge in the trenches. Their offensive line has yielded only five sacks while their D-line has logged seven sacks. The Golden Bears offensive line has given up eight sacks and their defense has got to opposing signal-callerss just six times.
The Golden Bears offense has averaged 198 yards in the air overall and has eight passing scores so far. The Wildcats have put up 264 pass yards per contest (192.0 in the Pac-12) and have 10 total pass TDs.
Defensively, California should have the upper hand in both facets. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 164 yards and pass for 184 yards per game. The Arizona D has allowed 214.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 204.6 yards per game to opposing runners. The Golden Bears are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.85 to opponents, while the Wildcats have allowed a 6.83 ANY/A.
Offensively, Garbers has amassed 269 passing yards this season, and has completed 58 percent of his 50 attempts with three passing scores and three interceptions. Garbers has a 3.31 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 5.11 over the past two outings.
For the home team, Khalil Tate has managed to complete 70-of-132 passes for 1,119 yards, eight TDs and three INTs. Tate’s ANY/A stands at 8.43 for the season and 7.49 over his last two games.
RELATED: Week 6 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: California Golden Bears at Arizona Wildcats
SU Winner – California, ATS Winner – California, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Golden Bears offense has produced two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Wildcats have put up three such plays.
The California defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Arizona has given up four such plays.
The California offense has created two rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Arizona has created 11 such runs.
The Golden Bears defense has allowed three rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Wildcats have given up 10 such runs.
The Arizona D has sacked opposing quarterbacks seven times this year. California has recorded six sacks.
California has produced 5.13223140495868 yards per carry over its last three outings and 5.4 over its last two.
Arizona has averaged 6.4 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 6.1 over its last two.
California was the underdog by 2 points in its last game and the O/U going into it was 57.5. The over cashed and California failed to cover in the 42-24 defeat to Oregon.
Arizona was getting 3 points in its previous match and the O/U was set at 62. The under cashed and Arizona did not cover in the 24-20 defeat to USC.
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