Week 12 includes a traditional rivalry matchup from the Pac 12 Conference when the Stanford Cardinal visits the California Golden Bears. While both teams have become bowl eligible with wins last week for Stanford the season has been a massive disappointment after playing the in the league title game last year. For the Golden Bears their upset win at the USC Trojans last week was the high point of head coach Justin Wilcox’s tenure. In just two years on the job Wilcox has vastly improved the Cal defense while making the team completive.
This week 12 matchup, known as “The Game,” will take place on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. ET from Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. PAC12 Network is providing the telecast of this game.
College Football Live Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Stanford Cardinal – (Check Back Later)
California Golden Bears – (Check Back Later)
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Live Betting Odds Analysis
Stanford is the better known and more respected program with the betting public based on their regular appearances in the Pac 12 championship game most years under coach David Shaw. Cal is improving but still lacks credibility with the gambling public. Cal may end up securing some enhanced betting value based on the combination of public perception and the Golden Bears overall improvement. Also factoring in is the potential drop in quality and value for Stanford.
The Tree Cut Down to Size
Stanford enters this one with a record of 6-4 both straight up and against the spread with six of their games going over the total. The Cardinal snapped a two-game losing streak last week with a 48-17 home payout over Oregon State as 24.5-point chalks. Stanford was picked to contend for the Pac 12 title and running back Bryce Love was touted as a top tier Heisman trophy candidate. Thus the massive disappointment.
Golden Run for Bears
California is 6-4 straight up and 5-4-1 against the spread with eight of their games going under the total. Cal is coming off a 15-14 comeback win at USC to become bowl eligible. Defense is the bedrock of the Golden Bears as one would expect with Wilcox, who arrived after a highly successful stint as Wisconsin defensive coordinator.
Team Metrics
Cal has become a mirror opposite team of the one they were just two years ago under then coach Sonny Dykes. Cal ranks 112th in the country for scoring offense but 16th for total defense.
Stanford ranks 77th in the nation for total offense and 74th for total defense. Most alarming of all is the Cardinal’s ranking of 122nd for rushing offense considering Love’s preseason status as a Heisman candidate. The offensive line play has been a catastrophe and the ultimate reason why Stanford could not overcome Washington State in the Pac 12 North.
ATS Trends
Stanford has not been a good long-term betting value in road games. For example, the Cardinal has paid in just three of their last nine away matchups with three of their last four in that role going over the total.
Balanced against that is the fact that Cal has not been a good betting value at Memorial Stadium. The Golden Bears have paid out in just one of their last six home matchups with four of their last seven at Memorial Stadium going over the total.
Head to Head in “The Game”
Last year California got the money in a 17-14 loss at Stanford as 14-point dogs. The cover snapped a five-game losing streak against the spread in their series with the Cardinal. Three of the last four between these teams have gone under the total. At Memorial Stadium the Cardinal has come away with four consecutive payouts while also winning all four games straight up. Two of the last three between these teams at Cal went under.
Free Live Betting ATS Pick
This looks like the year Cal can end Stanford’s dominance at Memorial Stadium.
College Football Live Betting Odds Pick: Cal 28, Stanford 24
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