by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Oct 11, 2023
Game Time: 3:00 pm ET, Saturday, October 14, 2023
Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Where to Watch: Pac-12 Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Cal +13.5, Utah -13.5; Over/Under: 45 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Cal +13.5, Utah -13.5; Over/Under: 45 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Cal +13.5, Utah -13.5; Over/Under: 45 points
Season Record
California Golden Bears: 3-3 (1-2) (9th place, Pac-12)
Utah Utes: 4-1 (1-1) (7th place, Pac-12)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Kyle Hunter is on a HOT STREAK in CFB as he is 81-43 his last 124 CFB Plays! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
California Golden Bears: lost their last game at home against the Oregon State Beavers 52-40.
Utah Utes: lost their last game on the road against the Oregon State Beavers 21-7.
California Golden Bears vs Utah Utes Preview and Analysis
California is entering this game with a 3-3 record overall and they have a 1-2 record in their conference games too. They are 2-2 in their home games, 1-1 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 lost their last game against Oregon State 52-40. Fernando Mendoza was the starting QB and he completed 21/32 passes for 207 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Isaiah Ifanse led the team in rushing yards with 86 and 2 TDs. Jack Endries led the receivers with 66 receiving yards on 4 receptions and 1 TD. Kaleb Elarms-Orr led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while no one on the defense recorded a sack in that one. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Utah is entering this game with a 4-1 record overall and they have a 1-1 record in their conference games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 1-1 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 lost their last game against Oregon State 21-7. Nate Johnson was the starting QB and he completed 8/23 passes for 101 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Jaylon Glover led the team in rushing yards with 58. Thomas Yassmin led the receivers with 59 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Sione Vaki led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Jonah Elliss led the defense in sacks with 2. Cole Bishop came away with the only interception for them in that game.
California vs Utah Prediction
The current betting odds have California listed as a 13.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Cal is coming off a 12 point loss at home in their last game against Oregon State but their offense has been looking a lot better in their last few games. They will have to travel to Utah for this game which will be really tough but Utah hasn't really had an explosive offense this season. Utah has been missing their starting QB Cam Rising all season and their offense hasn't been putting up a ton of points in their games as a result. Their defense has been keeping them in a lot of their games and Cal does have a decent defense that will give this struggling Utah offense problems. Utah is going to lean on their defense in this game since their offense is going to put up a ton of points but the Cal defense is good enough to keep this a closer game, especially with the Cal offense playing a lot better now too. Cal will keep this a closer game here as defense is going to be key for both teams in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on California to cover the spread in this game.
California Utah Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, October 14, 2023 (3:00 pm ET start time) is Utah 24 California 13.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this California Golden Bears Utah Utes prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAF predictions and previews.
NCAAF Betting Trends
California Golden Bears: 21-34 ATS after a 2 game home stand. 18-28 ATS after allowing 475 or more total yards/game in their last 3 games. 10-4 UNDER after 4 or more consecutive losses against the spread. 6-3 UNDER in October games.
Utah Utes: 10-5 ATS as a home favorite. 6-1 ATS off 5 or more consecutive unders. 6-1 ATS after gaining 275 or less total yards in 2 consecutive games. 5-0 UNDER in all games. 10-5 UNDER off 1 or more consecutive unders.
Key Injuries
California Golden Bears: J. Ott (RB) Prob Sat - Undisclosed. E. Saunders (DL) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. S. Vatikani (OL) Ques Sat - Leg. K. Doerue (RB) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. B. Cardwell (RB) out for season - Knee. J. Williams-Thomas (RB) Out indefinitely - Leg.
Utah Utes: C. Curry (RB) out for season - Undisclosed. M. Pittman (WR) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. C. O'Toole (DE) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. M. McClain (WR) Ques Sat - Foot. J. Jackson (RB) Ques Sat - Ankle. C. Vincent (RB) Ques Sat - Undisclosed. L. Fano (DE) out for season - Knee. B. Rose (QB) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. C. Rising (QB) Out indefinitely - Knee. B. Barnes (QB) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed. B. Kuithe (TE) Out indefinitely - Knee. M. Bernard (RB) out for season - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
“We’ll find out where the defenders are come next week, because boy — and this is not taking anything away from Oregon State because I really do think those guys do a great job coaching — but, man, ooh, that was bad defense right there by us.” - Justin Wilcox after his team’s loss against OR State in their last game.
“Oregon State came right out from the get go, excellent game plan, both on O and D. Give them all the credit. They made plays. We didn’t make plays. We had one touchdown and not even 200 yards of offense. We’re going to win exactly zero games doing that.” - Kyle Whittingham after his team’s loss against OR State in their last game.
Starting Lineups
California Golden Bears
WR Hunter, Jeremiah
WR Davis, Taj
WR Young, Monroe
TE Endries, Jack
QB Jackson V, Sam
RB Ott, Jaydn
FB Alfieri, Andy
Utah Utes
WR Parks, Money
WR Vele, Devaughn
WR Pittman, Mycah
TE Yassmin, Thomas
TE Kuithe, Brant
QB Rising, Cameron
RB Jackson, Ja'Quinden
Statistical Leaders
California Golden Bears
Passing: S. Jackson V (553)
Rushing: J. Ott (556)
Receiving: J. Hunter (339)
Touchdowns: I. Ifanse (8)
Utah Utes
Passing: N. Johnson (499)
Rushing: J. Jackson (239)
Receiving: M. Parks (160)
Touchdowns: N. Johnson (3)
Coaches:
California Golden Bears: Justin Wilcox (7th season)
Utah Utes: Kyle Whittingham (20th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
