by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Venue: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Where to watch: PAC-12 Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Cal -8.5
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Cal -9
Season record
Colorado: 2-4 (1-2 Pac-12)
Cal: 1-5 (0-3 Pac-12)
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Colorado - Cal preview and analysis
Last week
Colorado: won 34-0 vs. Arizona on Oct. 16
California: lost 24-17 at No. 10 Oregon on Oct. 15
There’s no better time to go out for lunch than during a snoozer of a Pac-12 game like the one we have Saturday.
The Colorado Buffaloes, fresh off ending a four-game losing streak this past Saturday, will hit the road for only the second time this season when they face the California Golden Bears in Berkeley.
You’re not going to find many instances where the worst team of the two is the betting favorite, but the Golden Bears are laying almost 10 points against a Colorado team that has, in fact, not been so impressive as of late.
Colorado is coming off an easy 34-0 win over the winless Arizona Wildcats, pushing the ‘Cats losing streak to 18 games. Quarterback Brendon Lewis hasn’t been one to make an impact through the air this season, but he did throw for 248 yards and two touchdowns to pace the Buffs’ offense.
Leading rusher Jarek Broussard carried the ball only 13 times, but had a team-high 53 rushing yards as part of a group that only amassed 117 yards on 39 carries. But there’s only so much you can do against an Arizona team that has no idea what to do itself.
But the Buffs are running into a much more difficult test in Cal this weekend, even if the Bears are sitting at a pedestrian 1-5. But quarterback Chase Garbers threw for 247 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions for Cal against the 10th-ranked Oregon Ducks last week, and even had a 17-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Talent separated itself at the end with Oregon scoring twice in the fourth to win the game.
Jeremiah Hunter had only three receptions, but reeled in 78 yards. Kekoa Crawford had a team-high six receptions for 50 yards.
Prediction
Colorado has one of the worst pass rush units in the country and is facing a Cal team that doesn’t give up many sacks. The regular season hasn’t been kind to Cal, but they’ll do more than enough against a CU team to send them packing back to Boulder in disappointment. Cal wins by 14
Betting trends
Colorado is 20-41 ATS since 1992 following a game in which it doesn’t commit a turnover.
Colorado is 6-10 straight up in its last 16 as an underdog.
Cal is 0-7 ATS as a home favorite in the last three seasons.
Cal is 9-2 since 1992 as a home favorite between 7.5 and 10 points.
Statistical leaders
Colorado:
Passing: Brendon Lewis -- 723 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Jarek Broussard -- 309 yards, 2 TD
Receiving: Brenden Rice -- 172 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Nate Landman -- 53 tackles
Cal:
Passing: Chase Garbers -- 1,492 yards, 9 TD, 5 INT
Rushing: Damien Moore -- 359 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Trevon Clark -- 346 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Daniel Scott -- 39 tackles, 3 INT
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
