Arizona vs California Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks

· Sep 22 - 4 minutes read

The California Golden Bears are out to end a six-game losing streak to the Arizona Wildcats Saturday afternoon in the Pac-12 opener for both teams. The Golden Bears are coming off a disappointing loss at Notre Dame last week, but that game offered a glimpse of newcomers Jack Plummer and Jadyn Ott. Plummer hasn’t been flashy at quarterback. He has generally avoided mistakes, though. Ott has a pair of Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors.

After losing to Mississippi State, then squeaking by reigning FCS national champion North Dakota State, the Wildcats have a couple of winnable games before getting into the meat of their conference schedule. Judd Fisch’s defense has struggled mightily, having surrendered 29 points per game. Quarterbacking isn’t great, but the Wildcats have a couple of solid runners in Michael Wiley and DJ Williams. The duo has a combined 247 yards (three touchdowns), and 5.4 yards per carry.

The College football odds don’t give either team much chance to win the Pac-12 title. Both are listed at +8000, far below USC (+145), Utah (+245) and Oregon (+475).

California Golden Bears

Plummer has been a bit conservative, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt and just under 11 yards per completion. He’s limited his interceptions to just two, though. Offensive line needs to do a better job of protection (12 sacks in three games). Only three FBS teams have allowed more sacks than the California Golden Bears. Ott has rushed 37 times (189 yards), a tie for eighth in the conference (first among freshmen). He also has seven receptions, including a pair of touchdowns. Freshman J. Michael Sturdivant caught his first touchdown against Notre Dame, 15.3 yards per reception in the losing effort.

Arizona Wildcats

Jacob Cowing is the player to be aware of when the Arizona Wildcats drop back. The junior leads the team in receptions and yards, catching five of the team’s six touchdown passes this season. Dating back to his time with UTEP, Cowing has at least one reception in 35 consecutive games. That’s tied for the second-longest active streak in the FBS. Only Minnesota Chris Autman-Bell has a longer run (41 games). Cowing, who has five or more receptions in 20 of the 35 games during that span, did end with 69 catches (1,354 yards, seven touchdowns) at UTEP last season. It was the ninth-highest figures in the FBS, while Cowing’s 19.6 yards per reception were 10th. Tetairoa McMillan has been a depth threat as well, 17.6 yards on his eight receptions with a touchdown against San Diego State.

Arizona vs California Injury Report

No major injuries to report on either team.

Arizona vs California Head-to-Head

Arizona has won six consecutive games against the Golden Bears, all by seven or fewer points (two by a single point).

California trails the all-time series, 19-14-2, having last beaten Arizona in 2009 at Berkeley. The Bears have won five straight home games, dating to last season.

Arizona vs California Game Information

Game: Arizona (2-1) vs California (2-1)
Location: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Day/Time: Saturday, Sept. 24 5:30 p.m. ET
Arizona vs California Live Stream: ESPN

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Arizona vs California Betting Lines

Arizona vs California Prediction

Despite losing six straight in the rivalry, including a 10-3 loss in Tucson last season, the College football lines have made the Golden Bears solid favorites on the money line at -160. Those odds are too tough to take, so take the Bears and lay the three.

Don’t forget to stay tuned to BetUS Sportsbook & Casino and take a look at the NCAA Football odds!

BET THIS PICK: California -3 (-110)