NCAAF Odds, Picks for Arizona State vs. Cal
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images. Pictured: Jaydn Ott (Cal)
Arizona State vs. Cal Odds
| Arizona State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -105 | 46.5 -110o / -110u | +360 |
| Cal Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -115 | 46.5 -110o / -110u | -500 |
Just because two of the worst teams in the Pac-12 are meeting on the field doesn’t mean the game will be a bore.
Arizona State is a week removed from a feisty performance against USC. The Sun Devils flirted with pulling off the biggest upset of the season and unveiled a new offensive playbook that could give opposing teams some concern.
Cal was boat-raced by Washington and Michael Penix Jr. to the tune of 59 points and over 500 yards of offense, but it proved capable of fighting back from an even bigger hole, recording 500 yards of its own.
Have both offenses found the magic formula, or will Cal prove worthy of its billing as a double-digit favorite?
Arizona State was looking for just any sign of life four weeks into the season, and that’s exactly what it found last week against USC.
Despite being five-touchdown underdogs, the Sun Devils found themselves trailing the Trojans by a lone touchdown in the fourth quarter.
While Arizona State eventually lost by 14, the Sun Devils' offense may have found something to build upon, even with a litany of injuries. After being held scoreless for six straight quarters leading up to the USC game, head coach Kenny Dillingham decided to take over play calling against the Trojans, and it worked to great success.
Dillingham pulled out all the stops and trick plays, and he found a budding star in transfer running back Cameron Skattebo. The Sacramento State transfer ran for 111 yards, caught for 79, completed two of three passes and even boomed a 53-yard punt. Talk about a jack of all trades.
But even with the success against the Trojans, there’s still the reality that Arizona State is dealing with injuries to over half of its offensive linemen and and first- and second-string quarterbacks Jaden Rashada and Drew Pyne.
The Sun Devils still rank outside the top 100 in Passing Success Rate, and backup quarterback Pyne was sacked eight more times for the team’s 17th allowed sack of the season. With Pyne's most recent injury, Trenton Bourguet will make his second start of the season after being sidelined with injury in the Fresno State game.
Despite the offensive woes, Arizona State’s defense has actually not been awful. USC can put up numbers against even the best of defenses, but the Trojans were held to season lows in both points (42) and passing yards (322).
You couldn't draw up a worse start to a game then what unfolded for Cal against Washington last week. The Huskies were up 14-0 before their offense even touched the field, thanks to a Cal pick-six and a Washington punt return for a touchdown.
The Bears were able to pour on some points late but still fell 27 points short in a game that displayed some of the inconsistencies that have plagued them all season.
The quarterback position remains unsettled on an offense that ranks 66th in passing heading to this matchup. Ben Finley and Sam Jackson V have recorded two starts each this season.
Finley, who threw three interceptions against the Huskies, was removed in the third quarter due to injury. Jackson finished the game fairly strong against backups, completing 10-of-14 passes for 156 yards and a score.
The Bears, when not trailing by 30 points, are a balanced team led by Jaydn Ott in the backfield. Ott and the running back committee, however, struggled to find any consistent rhythm against Washington, being held to just 139 yards on 35 carries.
It was Ott’s first game back since missing an outing due to injury, and he wasn't as effective as he usually is.
Cal defense allowed 529 yards to Washington but has otherwise been solid against lackluster opposition that includes Auburn, Idaho and North Texas. Its run defense is currently 35th in the nation, allowing 106.0 yards per game.
Arizona State vs Cal
Betting Pick & Prediction
It feels weird to write after the first three weeks of the season, but Arizona State’s offense might actually be a little exciting to watch. Dillingham isn’t afraid to do some weird stuff with play calling, and Skattebo can find the end zone in a variety of ways.
I also don't think Bourguet is that bad of an option at quarterback for the Sun Devils. Last season he threw three passing touchdowns in each game against Washington, Colorado and Arizona, and he also topped 375 yards passing against the Buffs and Wildcats.
I think Cal will give Jackson the start at quarterback, and his ability to run provides an added element of moving the ball for the Golden Bears.
Ott will be another week removed from his injury and should be closer to his usual dynamic self.
It’ll be overlooked that Cal also recorded over 500 yards of offense against the Huskies and scored at least 30 points for the third time this season.
The Sun Devils' offense has been pathetic all year, but the Bears aren’t exactly the ‘85 Bears on defense.
Both of these teams are Pac-12 cellar-dwellers, but their offenses are more than capable of scoring in the high 20s and clearing this total.
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