Oregon State vs. California: TV info, betting odds, and expert predictions
Oregon State (6-3, 3-3 Pac-12) host Cal (3-6, 1-5 Pac-12) at Reser Stadium Saturday evening hoping to bounce back from last week’s late loss to Washington.
The Huskies didn’t take their first lead of the game until eight seconds were left on the clock. They went on to win 24-21, knocking Oregon State out of the Top 25 after just a week and officially ending any hopes of a Pac-12 title game appearance. How will the Beavers regroup?
For starters, they get a Cal team that has lost five straight.
Oregon State’s secondary was tested against Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. even in extremely windy conditions last Friday. Expect Cal to go right at the Beavers through the air as well. Quarterback Jack Plummer threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns last week against USC, becoming the first Cal quarterback to top 400 in a game since 2016.
Cal has relied on Plummer’s arm to move the ball this season, but it has needed to. Cal has struggled to stop the ball on the other side (106th in yards per play allowed; 6.0). The Bears are giving up 27 points a game, a mark that ranks 73rd nationally. Plummer has had to press.
And that has led to mistakes. Oregon State’s secondary — with 11 interceptions this season, second only to USC in the Pac-12 — should be able to force a few more of those miscues.
Here’s everything you need to know for the game.
TV info and kickoff time
Kickoff time: 6 p.m. PT
TV network: Pac-12 Network
Location: Reser Stadium, Corvallis
Betting odds
Line: Oregon State -12.5
Total: 47.5
Money line: Oregon State -610, California +440
Expert predictions
ESPN’s FPI gives the Beavers a 78.7% chance of winning.
Bill Connelly’s SP+ is calling for a 33-17 Oregon State win.
The Mercury News’ Jon Wilner picked Cal to cover the spread:
The Beavers are 4-0 against the spread at home this season, but Cal coach Justin Wilcox is superb as a double-digit underdog. Both teams are limited in their aerial games and well-drilled on defense. We like the Bears, but we love the Under — yes, even at that low total.