The No. 15 Virginia Cavaliers aim to keep their magical season rolling and improve to 8-1 as they travel west to face the California Bears in a crucial Week 10 matchup with major ACC implications.
Running back J’Mari Taylor has been the engine of Virginia’s offense, emerging as the team’s most reliable playmaker and a constant threat on the ground. Facing a Cal defense that has struggled to contain explosive runners, Taylor is well-positioned for another standout performance.
In my Virginia vs. California predictions and college football picks for Saturday, November 1, I’m backing Taylor to hit the Over on his rushing yards prop, as the Cavaliers look to stay hot and strengthen their conference title push.
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Virginia vs California prediction
Virginia vs California best bet: J’Mari Taylor Over 78.5 rushing yards (-114)
You never know exactly what you’re going to get when a player transfers up to face tougher competition. Will the gaudy statistics translate, or was that a byproduct of something else, like facing overmatched competition, or benefitting from a lucrative offensive scheme?
Well, the Virginia Cavaliers found a smashing success in former North Carolina Central back J’Mari Taylor. He’s averaging a robust 72.6 rushing yards per game and has found pay dirt nine times, proving himself the focal point of the offense for a 7-1 team.
He’s a downhill runner who shrugs off arm tackles, forcing 34 missed tackles — second most among all backs in the ACC.
The Wahoos should lean on his abilities against a poor Cal rush defense that checks in at 105th in EPA per rush allowed and 91st in rushing success rate.
The California Bears have been a run-funnel defense, as they’ve actually been pretty tough in the secondary (14th in EPA per pass). Teams have instead attacked their underwhelming defensive line (136th in stuff rate, 132nd in line yards), and have averaged 4.6 yards per rush doing so.
Look for a big day from Taylor on the ground in a favorable matchup.
Virginia vs California same-game parlay
Virginia is a solid team on both sides of the ball (30th in EPA per play on offense, 43rd on defense), and has notched a quality win at Louisville.
Cal’s offense has sputtered, failing to crack 5.0 yards per play in three consecutive games and sporting poor overall numbers (128th in EPA per play on standard downs, 120th in success rate).
You can make a strong argument that Justin Wilcox’s squad hasn’t picked up a quality win, other than perhaps Minnesota, and the defense is regressing sharply.
Jacob De Jesus has more targets (79) than any other ACC wideout and is averaging 10.8 across his last six contests.
Virginia vs California SGP
- J’Mari Taylor Over 78.5 rushing yards
- Jacob De Jesus Over 60.5 receiving yards
- Virginia -5.5
Our deep-ball SGP: Mini Man Comes Through
Sophomore tight end Mason Mini has found the end zone four times this season and has racked up 348 yards, so he’ll likely be involved in the red zone plans if Cal is playing from behind and this game script holds to form.
Virginia vs California SGP
- J’Mari Taylor Over 78.5 rushing yards
- Jacob De Jesus Over 60.5 receiving yards
- Mason Mini anytime touchdown
- Virginia -5.5
Virginia vs California game predictions
Virginia vs California moneyline prediction
Virginia will continue its Cinderella run in the ACC by moving to 8-1.
Virginia vs California spread prediction
Virginia will also cover the spread, possessing the superior offense and defense in this matchup, which eases the travel spot.
Virginia vs California Over/Under prediction
This game will narrowly go Over the total as both teams play at a decent tempo on offense and have less-than-elite defenses.
Virginia vs California odds
- Spread: Virginia -5.5 (-114) | California +5.5 (-106)
- Moneyline: Virginia -215 | California +180
- Over/Under: Over 52.5 (-110) | Under 52.5 (-110)
Virginia vs California trend to know
Cal has failed to Cover the spread in five of its last six home games. Find more college football betting trends for Virginia vs California.
How to watch Virginia vs California
| Location | California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA |
| Date | Saturday, November 1, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 3:45 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
Virginia vs California latest injuries
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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