The Cal Bears will head on the road on Saturday to take on the Washington State Cougars as both teams have struggled to get games in due to coronavirus cancellations.
Washington State played in just three games so far this season with a 1-2 record coming off a 38-13 road loss to USC on Sunday night. Washington State has been just about average offensively both passing the ball and rushing. As a whole, the Cougars rank 53rd offensively in yards per play. Washington State has struggled in all areas on defense, as it is allowing 6.4 yards per play, which ranks 107th across college football. The Cougars are worse against the pass than they are against the run.
As for Cal, the Bears have been able to play in each of their last four games heading into this one with a 1-3 record. Cal is coming off its first victory, and it was an impressive one with a 21-17 win over Oregon. Cal ranks in the 100s in yards per play, yards per rush and yards per pass attempt this season, and its defense has been a bit better, but likely not to head coach Justin Wilcox’s expectations. As a whole, Cal is allowing 5.5 yards per play, which ranks 70th in the country.
Cal won the last matchup in this series 33-20 at home back in 2019.
Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming
You can watch Cal vs. Washington State on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Fox, or you can stream it via the Fox Sports Go app with a cable or streaming login.
Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends
Point spread: Cal (-1.5) vs. Washington State
Point Total: 53.5
Money line: Cal (-124) vs. Washington State (+102)
Betting splits against spread
Cal: (20% of action, 62% of bets)
Washington State: (80% of action, 38% of bets)
- Cal is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven games, and Washington State is 1-5 against the spread in its last six games.
- The point total went over in six of Washington State’s last nine games, though Cal went under in 13 of its last 19 games.
- Cal is 12-3 straight up in its last 15 games against Washington State.
The Best Bet
We don’t have a whole lot to work with as these two teams have seen multiple games canceled, but we’re going to roll with the Bears in this spot. Washington State did not look good against USC and has one less day of rest than Cal, which is finding its groove as it is finally seeing a little normalcy playing four straight weekends capped off with a win over the Ducks. Take Cal by a field goal or more.
Pick: Cal -1.5
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