California vs Virginia Tech Prediction, Picks & Odds for October 24 — College Football Week 9

Virginia Tech shouldn't be favored in any game right now, adding value to the Golden Bears.

Andrew Caley - Senior Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Andrew Caley • Senior Betting Analyst
Oct 23, 2025 • 12:09 ET • 4 min read

NCAAF

Match starts: 25 hrs
VT
40 %
CAL
60 %
EXPERT PICK - MONEYLINE
California +172 California +172
Read Analysis
California Golden Bears wide receiver Jacob De Jesus (21) runs the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium.
Photo By - Imagn Images. California Golden Bears wide receiver Jacob De Jesus (21) runs the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium.

Virginia Tech won its first two games with Philip Montgomery calling the shots, but the Hokies have come back down to Earth, going 0-2 straight up and against the spread the last two games.

They've covered just one game all season and now find themselves as 5-point home favorites against the visiting Cal Golden Bears.

I’m not sure the Hokies should be favored in any game at the moment, and my Cal vs. Virginia Tech predictions and college football picks explain why there is a ton of value in the Golden Bears in this ACC clash on October 24.

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California vs Virginia Tech prediction

California vs Virginia Tech best bet: Cal moneyline (+172)

Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones' inconsistent play is concerning, but their problems run much deeper than that. The offense is one-dimensional, and the defense can’t stop anyone — ranking 110th in EPA per play and 106th in defensive success rate.

The Cal Golden Bears have had a bit of a rollercoaster season, but enter this game at 5-2 thanks to exciting freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and a solid defense.

JKS just needs to limit turnovers, but the Cal defense ranks 37th in the country in defensive success rate, including 44th in rushing success rate. 

Cal should be able to limit the Virginia Tech run game and move the ball effectively through the air. The wrong team is favored here. Give me Cal on the moneyline.

California vs Virginia Tech same-game parlay

JKS has found his favorite target in Jacob De Jesus. The speedy slot wideout has already hauled in 47 receptions this season for 406 yards and is coming off a breakout performance against UNC, where he caught 13 passes for 105 yards and a TD.

His receiving yards prop against the Hokies is at a very reasonable 56.5, a number he'll eclipse for the third time in four games.

When Cal gets into the red zone, JKS likes to target his big-bodied and ironically named tight end, Mason Mini. He has the second-most targets on the team and has found the end zone three times this season.

California vs Virginia Tech SGP

  • Cal monyline
  • Jacob De Jesus Over 56.5 receiving yards
  • Mason Mini touchdown

Our deep-ball SGP: Paydirt parlay

Kyron Drones is doing his best to keep this team afloat. He's rushed for 277 yards and scored a rushing touchdown in four of his last six games.

California vs Virginia Tech SGP

  • Cal moneyline
  • Jacob De Jesus Over 56.5 receiving yards
  • Mason Mini touchdown
  • Kyron Drones touchdown

California vs Virginia Tech odds

  • Spread: California +5.5 | Virginia Tech -5.5
  • Moneyline: California +172 | Virginia Tech -205
  • Over/Under: Over 50.5 | Under 50.5

California vs Virginia Tech trend to know

Virginia Tech has hit the team total Under in its last seven games for +7.00 Units and a 88% ROI. Find more college football betting trends for California vs Virginia Tech.

How to watch California vs Virginia Tech

Location Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA
Date Friday, October 24, 2025
Kickoff 7:30 p.m. ET
TV ESPN

California vs Virginia Tech latest injuries

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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Andrew Caley
Senior Betting Analyst

When his dreams of becoming the next Steve Nash died, all Andrew "Taco" Caley wanted to do was write about sports, something he's been doing at Covers for more than a decade. A Journalism School grad from Holland College in Charlottetown, PEI, Andrew previously worked at The Chronicle Herald and Star Metro, but knew in his heart that his future lay in sports. He began at Covers as a news editor and has now done everything under the sun when it comes to content. His work has been seen on TSN, Sportsnet, VSiN, and CBS. These days Andrew's betting expertise is focused on his favorite teams; the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Raptors. He's also an avid college football fan and bettor. He can't be friends with you if you don't appreciate a Service Academy Under. The sportsbook where he does the bulk of his betting is bet365 thanks to its numerous prop betting options and competitive odds. His best advice? Find the balance between the numbers and what you see on the playing field. Then find the best price using multiple books. And don’t ask him where the nickname Taco comes from. It's not an interesting story. Seriously.

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