Tennessee football: Vols, SEC and Top 25 predictions for Week 5 of 2018
No. 19 Oregon Ducks at No. 24 California Golden Bears
Saturday, Sept. 29 at 10:30 p.m. E.T.; California Memorial Stadium; Berkeley, Calif.
TV: FS1; Line: Oregon -2.5; Over/Under: 58
Caleb Calhoun
Former Tennessee football defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox has the Cal Golden Bears rolling as a program now. They are 3-0 with two Power Five wins, and in similar fashion to the Stanford Cardinal, they play a brand of defense that is rare in the Pac-12. That’s a big advantage, especially since Stanford just beat the Oregon Ducks.
However, Cal doesn’t have the program Stanford has just yet. Oregon has the offense that’s ready to get the best of the Golden Bears, even on the road, so the Ducks will do just that. If they can get nearly 600 yards against Stanford, they can do even more against Cal, and Cal doesn’t yet have the offense that Stanford has. All Oregon has to do is limit turnovers, and they’ll win this game. Take them to win, and take the over.
Oregon: 31 California: 28 (Oregon -2.5; Over 58)
Garrett Sanders
Oregon will be angry after their heartbreaking loss to Stanford last week. Justin Herbert will come out and ball out against the Golden Bears. Cal has shown that they a pretty decent team. The only problem is, the wins they have don’t convince me that they can beat the Ducks.
This game will be played in Berkley, and that will be to Cal’s advantage. However, Oregon’s offense looks to be unstoppable. The Ducks will score more points than their defense will allow to the Golden Bears. Oregon will take all their anger and frustration out on Cal and will win in a brutal beatdown.
Oregon: 38 California: 17 (Oregon -2.5; Under 58)
Billy Williford
Another Pac-12 game after dark that is worth us East Coaster staying up for. Last week we saw Oregon collapse against a better Stanford team late in the game.
I know it is a home game for Cal, and they will mix it up with a couple of different quarterbacks, but Oregon comes out ready to play behind their quarterback Justin Herbert. He will make the plays for the win. Close win.
Oregon: 32 California: 30 (Cal +2.5; Over 58)