Utah vs. Cal: TV info, betting odds, and score predictions
Utah needs a “get right” game in the worst way, and it’ll host a Cal team coming off an impressive performance against Oregon State last week.
Salt Lake City has been a disastrous place for opponents to visit, but the 16th-ranked Utes (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) haven’t inspired confidence of late. With injuries taking their toll and the quarterback situation cratering without Cameron Rising, Utah has scored just 14 combined offensive points in two conference games this season.
The Golden Bears (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12) meanwhile are coming off a 40-point offensive performance in a loss to Oregon State. The unit turned to Fernando Mendoza at quarterback and things finally started to click. But the defense has slipped in conference play; California has surrendered 111 total points in losses to Washington and the Beavs.
One of these teams will recapture some momentum and emerge with a much-needed win.
Here’s all the info you need to know for the game.
TV and Kickoff Time
Kickoff time: noon PT
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV Network: Pac-12 Network
Betting odds
Line: Utah -11
Total: 44
Money line: Utah -425, Cal +325
Via Bet365
Score predictions
ESPN’s FPI gives Utah a 74.9% chance to beat the Golden Bears.
Bill Connelly’s SP+ projects a 33-17 Utah win.
Saturday Out West’s Jon Gold predicted a 24-17 Utah win:
With Cam Rising’s status in doubt once more as his recuperation from a complete knee tear lingers out of the Utes’ bye week, this one is tough to predict. Especially because the Utes’ offense is missing a lot more than Rising.
Utah’s injury status mixed with Cal’s impressive offensive showing against a good Oregon State defense last week has me uncertain heading into the matchup. Two weeks ago, the Utes managed just 7 points against the Beavers and then the Bears score 40 against them a week later? That makes no sense!
If this game were in Berkeley, I might feel differently. But with it in Salt Lake City, I’m taking the Utes.
Saturday Out West’s Derek Peterson picked Utah as an outright winner in the matchup:
Utah should be in a better position on the other side of its bye week from a health standpoint. Does that mean enough for the Utes to cover an 11-point spread when the offense hasn’t scored more than seven points in a conference game yet? That, I don’t know. Maybe Vegas knows something we don’t with this line, but we can’t include Cam Rising in the calculus here until he actually lines up for a snap. Utah’s defense is enough against Cal at home either way.