California at North Carolina College Football Picks & Predictions 9/2/2017

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Kenan Memorial Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The North Carolina Tar Heels host the California Golden Bears at Kenan Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 2, 2017. The opening line for this game has North Carolina as 8 point favorites. The Tar Heels had an over/under record of 4-9-0 and they were 8-5-0 against the spread last year. The Golden Bears had an ATS record of 5-7-0 while their over/under record was 8-4-0.

Valuable California Golden Bears Betting Trends

The California Golden Bears were 8-4-0 against the over/under last season

The California Golden Bears were 5-7-0 against the spread last year

Important North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends

The North Carolina Tar Heels were 4-9-0 against the over/under last season

The North Carolina Tar Heels were 8-5-0 against the spread last year

Key California Golden Bears Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key North Carolina Tar Heels Injuries

No key injuries to report

Useful Offensive Statistics

The California Golden Bears ran for 1,852 yards as a team last year, which ranked 96th in college football. They ran 414 times, averaging 4.5 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Golden Bears were penalized on offense 89 times for 910 yards last season, which had them 30th in the country in penalties. They were 37th in the nation in points scored with 445. They ran 1,036 plays last season for 4,306 yards, which ranked them 6th in Division 1 in total offense. The Golden Bears averaged 5.9 yards per play, which was 55th in college football. As a team they accumulated a total of 335 1st downs last year, placing them 8th overall as an offensive unit. Chase Forrest is making the start at Quarterback for Cal. He will be making his first start of his career.

Defensive Statistics

The Golden Bears rush defense allowed 532 attempts for 3,275 yards last year, putting them in 124th place in D-1 against the run. California committed 107 penalties for 922 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 124th in college football. They were 124th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 511. They surrendered a total of 6,220 yards on D, which was 120th in the country. The Golden Bears were ranked 118th in yards per play allowed with 6.7. Opposing offenses completed 236 passes on 395 attempts against the California Golden Bears defense last season, placing them 62nd and 52nd in Division 1. The California pass defense also gave up a total of 2,945 yards through the air, which was 67th overall in total pass defense.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Tar Heels were 43rd in the country in points scored with 420 last season. They ran 861 plays last year for 3,812 yards, which ranked them 18th in Division 1 in total offense. The North Carolina Tar Heels averaged 6.6 yards per play, which was 17th in the nation. As a team they accumulated a total of 283 1st downs last season, ranking them 53rd overall as an offensive unit. On the ground North Carolina ran for 1,895 yards, which ranked 92nd in college football. They ran 400 times, averaging 4.7 yards per rush as a unit. The Tar Heels were penalized on offense 99 times for 797 yards last year, which had them 8th in the country in penalties. Brandon Harris is expected to start at Quarterback for the Tar Heels. He didn't play last year so it's an unknown on how he'll perform.

Defensive Statistics

North Carolina was 45th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 324 last year. They gave up a total of 5,305 yards on D, which was 72nd in D-1. The Tar Heels were 42nd in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Opponent offenses completed 183 throws on 328 attempts against the North Carolina defense last season, ranking them 13th and 17th in the nation. The North Carolina Tar Heels pass defense also surrendered a total of 2,350 yards in the air, which was 16th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 659 attempts for 2,955 yards last season, putting them in 114th place in the country against the run. The Tar Heels had 94 penalties for 802 yards on defense last year. That placed them 106th in college football.

Who will win tonight's Golden Bears/Tar Heels college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Golden Bears +8

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink