Cal and Oregon found themselves in a shootout last season with the two teams combining for 101 points in a double-overtime thriller. The Golden Bears ultimately walked away with the win, which ended their stretch of seven consecutive losses against the Ducks. Cal will look for its first back-to-back wins vs Oregon since the 2008 season in Eugene on Saturday.
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert is surely smiling when he thinks about playing Cal after the then-freshman accounted for 414 yards of offense and six touchdowns against the Ducks last season. Herbert ran the Oregon offense wonderfully last week but the defense didn’t hold up its end of the bargain, surrendering 489 yards of offense and 38:06 minutes of possession to Arizona State.
Despite an offense that consistently shot itself in the foot, Cal hung around with USC last week for three quarters. Coach Justin Wilcox has worked wonders on the defense, helping the team reduce its yards allowed per game from 518 in 2016 to 404 this season. The staff has continued to stand behind Ross Bowers at quarterback but the sophomore has completed just 47.4 percent of his passes with 2 TDs and 6 INTs in the past two games.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
On the betting Sportsbook line for this matchup, the Oregon Ducks sat as a 17-point favorite, according to Sportsbook. The total had not been posted early in the week, so check the lines pages for the latest.
OddsShark prediction models picked the Ducks to win this game on Saturday 45-27. Check the picks page or matchup report during the week as factors may cause that prediction to be re-run. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
California Golden Bears vs Oregon Ducks Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Oregon Ducks sport a record of 3-1 and 2-2 ATS heading into this matchup, while the California Golden Bears sit at 3-1 and 3-1 ATS on the season. The OVER/UNDER totals records are 2-2 for the Ducks and 1-3 for the Golden Bears. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Oregon vs California injuries news.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Oregon Ducks rated this week at No. 34 and the California Golden Bears sitting at No. 88.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Oregon Ducks' No. 1-ranked offense (50.75 PPG) against a California Golden Bears defense that ranks No. 61 at 24 PPG. The Oregon Ducks passing attack has averaged 313 yards per game, more than the California Golden Bears give up through the air (309.5 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the California Golden Bears own the league's No. 94-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 219 yards per game when on the road. Oregon, on the other hand, rates No. 16 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Ross Bowers' 303-yard performance through the air wasn't enough last time out, as USC earned a 30-20 win over California on Saturday at California Memorial Stadium.
The Ducks suffered a Week 4 loss against Arizona State in their last game, falling 37-35 at Sun Devil Stadium.
Next Betting Matchups
California at Washington, Saturday, October 7
Oregon home to Washington State, Saturday, October 7