It’s a Pac-12 matchup between the top team in the conference and one that is trying to get bowl eligible. The No. 8-ranked Oregon Ducks will travel to Berkeley to take on the 3-4 California Golden Bears on Saturday.
Since getting blown out in its first game, Oregon has been mowing down opponents, including a 45-30 win over UCLA.
The Golden Bears, on the other hand, have been struggling, losing their last three games, including one at Colorado as 15-point favorites.
Can Cal turn it around and pull off a huge upset or will Oregon continue dismantling its competition? Continue reading for free college football picks for Oregon vs. California on October 29.
Oregon vs California best odds
Oregon vs California picks and predictions
The way that Oregon has been throttling its competition after losing its season opener by 46 points has been impressive.
The Ducks have outscored their last six opponents 294-154. Yes, there was the 70-14 thrashing of Eastern Washington, but they also beat a very good UCLA team 45-30.
Now they travel to Berkeley to take on a 3-4 Golden Bears team with losses to Washington State, Colorado, and Washington.
Cal has to try and stop the Ducks' fifth-ranked offense in the country averaging 517.1 yards a game. They are No. 5 in rushing, averaging 244.6 yards a game and they're no slouches in the passing game.
Transfer quarterback Bo Nix has been exactly what Oregon needed, leading an offense ranked 35th in passing.
After his 22 of 28 passing for 283 yards and five touchdown passes against UCLA last weekend, the senior watched his Heisman odds shorten up considerably, going from +6,600 to +4,000 at BetMGM.
Nix should feast on the Cal secondary, which is 115th in passing yards allowed at 275.1 yards per game.
One of the reasons for Nix’s success is the trust he has earned from coach Dan Lanning, who told reporters after the UCLA game that he is turning into one of the best in the game.
The Ducks are favored by as much as 17.5 but shop around and you can shave a half-point off the line. I don’t think it’s going to matter. Oregon should roll to another big win on Saturday.
My best bet: Oregon -17 (-110 at Caesars)
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Oregon vs California spread analysis
The contest between Oregon and California opened at Ducks -13.5 but quickly shot up to 17.5 at most sportsbooks.
Oregon’s explosive offense should be able to cover this total. The Ducks have won their last six games by 56, 21, 3, 18, 27, and 15 points.
Oregon has covered all three times it has been listed as a double-digit favorite this season. Conversely, the Golden Bears have been anemic on offense. Cal hasn’t scored more than 21 points in any of its last three games and has gone Over 30 only twice in seven games.
Cal will try and slow the pace to keep it close but the Ducks have so many weapons that it will be difficult to keep that offense off the field.
The Ducks are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games and are 4-1 ATS following a straight-up win.
Cal has gone 4-3 this season ATS but is 1-4 ATS in its last five games following an ATS win.
Oregon should be able to score early and often and Cal might find it difficult to keep up. Expect this to be an easy cover for the Ducks.
Oregon vs California Over/Under analysis
College football odds opened this total at 56.5 points and inched up to 58.5 at most sportsbooks with Caesars, WynnBet, and PointsBet having it at 58.
Oregon has found its grove and is taking it out on its opponents, ranking seventh in the country in points per game at 42.7.
The Ducks have hit the Over in five of their seven games this season, and they've scored 40 or more points in all but one (that opening loss to Georgia).
Cal is going to be key to this game going Over. The Golden Bears have been in a scoring slump and they will have to score at least two touchdowns to ensure this game clears the total.
Fortunately, Oregon’s defense might accommodate them. The Ducks are 78th in total defense, allowing an average of 29 points.
If Jack Plummer can sling the ball around a bit, he might be able to take advantage of Oregon’s porous secondary. The team’s allowing an average of 273.4 passing yards.
Look for both teams to have success with the pass but Oregon should be able to air it out early, often, and more effectively. This game should go Over the total but it might be a sweat.
Oregon vs California betting trend to know
The Over is 4-1 in the last five games at Cal between the two teams. Find more NCAA betting trends for Oregon vs. California.
Oregon vs California game info
| Location: | California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Date: | Saturday, October 29, 2022 |
| Kickoff: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FS1 |
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Oregon vs California weather
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