California Golden Bears vs SMU Mustangs Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 11/30/2024

Game Time: 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, November 30, 2024

Venue:  Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX 

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  California +13.5, SMU -13.5; Over/Under:  57 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  California +13.5, SMU -13.5; Over/Under:  57 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  California +13.5, SMU -13.5; Over/Under:  57 points

California Golden Bears:  6-5 (2-5) (13th place, ACC)

SMU Mustangs:  10-1 (7-0) (1st place, ACC)

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California Golden Bears:  won their last game at home against the Stanford Cardinal 24-21.

SMU Mustangs:  won their last game on the road against the Virginia Cavaliers 33-7.

California is entering this game with a 6-5 record overall and they have a 2-5 record in their conference games too. They are 4-3 in their home games, 2-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against Stanford 24-21. Fernando Mendoza was the starting QB and he completed 25/36 passes for 299 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Fernando Mendoza led the team in rushing yards with 35. Trond Grizzell led the receivers with 70 receiving yards on 4 receptions and 1 TD. Craig Woodson led the defense in that game with 5 solo tackles and 5 assisted tackles while David Reese led the defense in sacks with 1.5. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

 

 

 

SMU is entering this game with a 10-1 record overall and they have a 7-0 record in their conference games too. They are 5-1 in their home games, 5-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against Virginia 33-7. Kevin Jennings was the starting QB and he completed 25/33 passes for 323 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Brashard Smith led the team in rushing yards with 63 and 1 TD. Moochie Dixon led the receivers with 89 receiving yards on 4 receptions. Isaiah Nwokobia led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Jared Harrison-Hunte and Isaiah Smith each led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.

The current betting odds have SMU listed as a 13.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. SMU has looked great in their games this season with their 10-1 record overall and their 7-0 conference record which has them right at the top of the ACC and already in the ACC Championship. Their only loss this season was against BYU and BYU was a solid team that was undefeated through their first 9 games. SMU is coming off a 33-7 win over Virginia in their last one and they aren't taking their foot off the gas in this one with a chance to go perfect in the conference their 1st season in the ACC. Meanwhile, California has looked good in their games this season with their 6-5 record overall, but their 2-5 conference record has them right near the bottom of the ACC. They have struggled in their first season being in the conference and they are 2-2 in their road games this year. They are coming off a 24-21 win against Stanford in their last one and that win gave them bowl eligibility, but now they really have nothing left to play for this season. They don't have the offense to keep up with the way SMU can put up points and Cal's defense won't do much to stop them either. The best way to place a bet here is on SMU to cover the spread in this game. 

California SMU Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, November 30, 2024 (3:30 pm ET start time) is SMU 34 Cal 10.

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California Golden Bears: 4-7 ATS versus good rushing defenses - allowing 120 rushing yards/game or less. 1-6 1H ATS when the total is between 56.5 and 63. 8-17 1H ATS against conference opponents. 8-2 OVER when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 75%). 9-3 OVER vs. good offensive  teams - scoring 31 or more points/game. 10-4 OVER vs. good passing teams averaging 250 or more passing yards/game.

SMU Mustangs: 8-4 ATS off a road win. 13-7 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 5-2 ATS versus good rushing defenses - allowing 120 rushing yards/game or less. 8-4 OVER off a road win. 7-3 OVER off a road win against a conference rival. 11-6 OVER after playing their last game on the road. 

California Golden Bears:  C. Uluave (MLB) Questionable - Undisclosed.

SMU Mustangs:  J. Hudson (WR) Questionable - Concussion. J. Bailey (WR) Out - Undisclosed. A. Davis (CB) Questionable - Head. J. Knighton (RB) Out - Knee. R. Maryland (TE) Out - Knee. Z. Minors (RB) Questionable - Lower Body. C. Wheaton (RB) Out - Knee.

“In my professional life, I don’t know if there’s a better feeling I’ve had than being a witness after a Big Game victory.” - Justin Wilcox after his team’s win against Stanford in their last game. 

“Against a guy who’s hard to tackle. Probably against like me back there, it’s 16 sacks — at least the older me.” - Rhett Lashlee after his team’s win against UVA in their last game. 

WR Hunter, Nyziah

WR Brady, Jonathan  

WR Grizzell, Trond

TE Endries, Jack 

QB Mendoza, Fernando

RB Ott, Jaydn 

WR Smith, Key'Shawn

WR Dixon, Moochie 

WR Daniels Jr., Roderick

TE Hibner, Matthew 

QB Jennings, Kevin

RB Smith, Brashard

Passing: F. Mendoza (3004)

Rushing: J. Thomas (598)

Receiving: J. Endries (555)

Touchdowns: J. Thomas (7)

Passing: K. Jennings (2521)

Rushing: B. Smith (1089)

Receiving: R. Daniels (460)

Touchdowns: B. Smith (15)

Coaches:

California Golden Bears: Justin Wilcox (8th season)

SMU Mustangs: Rhett Lashlee (3rd season)