The Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the Cal Bears in Berkeley, California. Kickoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Minnesota is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -135. The total is set at 41.5 points.
Here’s my Minnesota vs. Cal predictions and college football picks for Saturday, September 13, 2025.
Minnesota vs Cal Prediction
- Minnesota vs. Cal Pick: Cal ML (+115, bet365)
My Cal vs. Minnesota best bet is on the Bears to win outright. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Minnesota vs Cal Odds
| Minnesota Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | -135 |
| California Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | +115 |
- Minnesota vs Cal point spread: Minnesota -2.5
- Minnesota vs Cal over/under: 41.5 points
- Minnesota vs Cal moneyline: Minnesota -135, Cal +115
Minnesota vs Cal Preview
Minnesota Golden Gophers Betting Preview
The Gophers have begun the year 2-0, but they narrowly escaped a win over Buffalo and blew out Northwestern State 66-0.
It will be the Gophers' first test of the season, traveling to Berkeley in a tricky spot.
If you look at their metrics, they are absolutely dazzling on both sides of the ball. But these are all inflated numbers thanks to their performance last week.
The biggest question heading into the game is whether star running back Darius Taylor will play. Taylor left last week's game after four snaps due to a hamstring injury, and head coach PJ Fleck says they received "positive news" from his health scans.
Fleck will be tight-lipped about Taylor's status leading up to gameday, so it is undoubtedly worth monitoring heading into the matchup.
Quarterback Drake Lindsey has looked the part thus far, but I am curious how he fares in his first road test.
Defensively, there is no questioning how good the Gophers have been through two games. We knew the defense had the experience heading into the year, and they have some NFL talent along their defensive line.
I am still evaluating them due to their lack of competition thus far, so it is tough for me to be sold on these sparkling early-season metrics. It is also not an easy matchup by any stretch, as the Golden Bears have been surprising offensively thus far.
It's a terrible spot for the Gophers, given the cross-country travel and potential letdown after such a soft schedule to begin the season. The Taylor injury could make or break the matchup for the Gophers, so I would keep a close eye on it if you're trying to back Minnesota.
Cal Golden Bears Betting Preview
True Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has been impressive through two games. He has three touchdowns, no picks, and a 66% completion rate.
It will be a tough assignment for him against the Gophers, who have a defense filled with veteran talent. But he does benefit from playing in front of his home crowd, and their rushing attack has more than held its own.
As long as the Bears can communicate in the red zone in what could be a tight ballgame, they should score enough for their defense to get to work, which has been their best unit thus far. A strong defense can always help alleviate the pressure of a young quarterback, and that is precisely what should happen on Saturday.
Despite not facing the strongest competition, the defense has been excellent. They faced Texas Southern last week but looked ferocious against Oregon State in their opening matchup.
They have been vulnerable against the run, so the Taylor injury looms large here. But the secondary has been lights out, which should bode well if the Gophers cannot get their run game going.
The spot certainly points to backing the Golden Bears.
Minnesota vs Cal Pick, Betting Analysis
I will closely monitor the injury report, but the Gophers are in an awful spot regardless of whether Taylor plays.
It would have been great for the Golden Bears if he hadn't, but I still like them regardless.
Given their schedule thus far, the Gophers are in for a reality check, and it's a horrendous travel spot for them.
I also love what I've seen from Sagapolutele, and the defense should give the offense plenty of chances to thrive.
It's tough to know how good either team is, given who they have played, but the spot favors the Bears.
Pick: Cal ML (+115, bet365)
