SMU (10-1) vs California (6-5)
Game Info: Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 3:30 pm (Gerald J. Ford Stadium)
The Line: Betting Odds: SMU -12.5 / California +12.5 — Over/Under: 57.5
The California Golden Bears and the SMU Mustangs meet Saturday in college football action from Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Here’s a California vs SMU prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best California vs SMU pick. We will examine:
The California Golden Bears’ recent form and player performance
The SMU Mustangs’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the California Golden Bears
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the SMU Mustangs
Recent betting trends in games played between California and SMU
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the California vs SMU game
California Golden Bears Betting Preview
The Bears opened up the season on a 3-4 run, taking losses to Florida State, Miami, Pittsburgh, and NC State in that time. California would post wins over Oregon State and Wake Forest in the next pair before another loss to Syracuse.
Matched up against Stanford over the weekend, the Bears were in trouble after three quarters with a 21-10 deficit. California scored 14 unanswered points from there though, and won 24-21. Fernando Mendoza had 299 yards with three scores, while Trond Grizzell put up 70 yards and a score off four catches.
SMU Mustangs Betting Preview
Over on the SMU side, they lost to only BYU in their first ten games. Otherwise, it was wins over Nevada, Houston Christian, TCU, Florida State, Louisville, Stanford, Duke, Pittsburgh, and Boston College at that time.
In their game against Virginia last weekend, SMU didn’t have much trouble. The Mustangs scored in every quarter along the way to a 33-7 win. Kevin Jennings finished on 323 yards with two TDs and a pick, while Moochie Dixon had four catches for 89 yards.
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- SMU has won 20 of its last 21 games against conference opponents.
- California has lost each of its last eight road games against AP-ranked teams.
- SMU has covered the spread in five of its last six games against conference opponents at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
- California has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight November games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- California has won each of its last three road games in November.
- California has covered the spread in four of its last five November games against AP-ranked teams.
Total Points Facts
- Each of California’s last six games against top-15 AP-ranked teams has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of SMU’s last four home games against conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
California vs SMU Prediction
I’ll lean toward SMU. The Mustangs dismantled a decent Virginia team on the road last weekend, totaling 434 yards (323 passing) and 20 first downs. SMU’s defense really shined on 173 yards (108 passing), 2.6 yards per play and 14 first downs allowed. The Mustangs are cooking these days. They’ve scored 28 or more points in eight straight games.
As for California, they mounted a nice fourth-quarter comeback over Stanford on Saturday. The Bears eventually posted 371 yards (299 passing) and 20 first downs. Cal has scored 23 or more points in five straight games now, going 3-2 in that stretch. Still, SMU shouldn’t have too many issues burying the Bears on Saturday.