California vs Colorado Odds, Picks and Predictions: Golden Bears Hunt Down Buffaloes

The California Golden Bears travel to Boulder to take on the Colorado Buffaloes. They have lost two of their last three, including an embarrassing 28-9 defeat at Washington State. 

Colorado is 0-5 on the season resulting in the firing of head coach Karl Dorrell. It will be coached by interim Mike Sanford, the team’s offensive coordinator. He has a difficult task this Saturday with his team standing as a 15-point underdog.

Can the winless side upset Cal, or do the Bears win their first road game of the season? Continue reading for our free college football picks and predictions for California vs. Colorado on October 15.

California vs Colorado best odds

California vs Colorado picks and predictions

There are times when a team responds to their head coach getting fired midseason by playing an inspired contest the next game out. It rarely works out that way, however. Coaches usually get fired for a good reason. 

Nebraska fired Scott Frost and the team lost the next game to Oklahoma 49-14. Arizona State relieved Herm Edwards of his job and the Sun Devils lost the following week, 34-13. 

So if you are expecting some feel-good comeback story with Colorado you can forget it. This is a bad football team. 

The Buffaloes are next to last in points allowed, averaging 43.2 per game. They are last in rushing yards allowed, averaging 294.2 yards per game. One area they are pretty competent in is passing yards allowed,  ranking 53rd at 214.6 yards allowed. 

That is good because Cal quarterback Jack Plummer likes to sling the ball. He is 64th in the country with 1,247 yards, averaging 249.4 per game. He also has eight touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Meanwhile, the Colorado offense is just as challenged. The team has scored 20 or fewer points in all five of its games this season. There have been changes to key parts, but interim coach Mike Sanford said the team is a work in progress.

“It was really a five-week journey offensively to find an identity and it can be challenging as you go through some attrition from a body standpoint, injuries and players that are dinged up and then coming back,” Sanford said. “But ultimately, I think that we’re really starting to find our identity.”

Well while Colorado searches for itself, take take the bears to get their first road win of the season. The Buffaloes are a mess and California will definitely exploit that. 

My best bet: California -15 (-110 at BetRivers)

California vs Colorado spread analysis

This game opened at 14 and quickly went up to 15 — even 15.5 at some sportsbooks. 

Colorado hasn’t been a friend to spread bettors, going 0-5 against the spread this year. Cal is 3-2 ATS, and 1-1 when it's favored by 12 or more points. 

I think the Bears can cover this number, even though laying more than two touchdowns is going to probably be a sweat. 

The Cal offense should have its way with the Buffaloes. With Colorado decent defending the pass, the Bears may test its defense by running the ball. They are 78th in the country in rushing, averaging 147.4 yards per game. 

Jaydn Ott is the leading rusher for California. The running back is averaging 106.6 yards per game and has five TDs. With Colorado allowing an FBS-worst 294.2 yards, Ott may find himself having a career day in Boulder.  

The Cal defense doesn’t get nearly the credit it deserves. The team is 38th in the country in rushing defense and 76th in total defense. With Colorado’s offense in disarray, look for the Bears to easily cover the spread. 

The Buffaloes have been beaten by margins of 25, 31, 42, 28, and 23. I like this game following that pattern. 

California vs Colorado Over/Under analysis

Colorado is allowing opponents an average of 43.2 points per game — which, you guessed it, is last in college football. Cal is averaging 25.8 points per game and usually plays to its level of competition, scoring 34 points against UC Davis and 49 in a win against Arizona. 

The total for Saturday’s game opened at 48 and has stayed there. What makes the Under enticing here is the Buffaloes. In their five games this season, they have failed to score more than 20 points in any of them. They are also 7-1 on the Under in their last eight games following a bye week. 

For Cal, the Under is 5-1 in the team’s last six games against an opponent with a losing record. Also, the Under is 5-1 in the team’s last six road games. 

This season on the road, the Bears scored 17 and nine points. The Buffaloes at home have scored 13 and 17 points. I don’t see this game having more than 40 points and it’ll be a stretch to get there, let alone 48. 

California vs Colorado betting trend to know

The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between the two teams. Find more NCAA betting trends for California vs. Colorado.

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