California at BYU College Football Picks and Predictions 9/8/2018

Saturday, September 8, 2018

LaVell Edwards Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The BYU Cougars host the California Golden Bears at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, September 8, 2018. The opening line for this game has BYU as 2.5 point favorites. The Cougars have an over/under record of 0-1-0 and they are 1-0-0 against the spread. The Golden Bears have an ATS record of 0-0-1 while their over/under record is 0-1-0.

Valuable California Golden Bears Betting Trends

The California Golden Bears are 0-1-0 against the over/under

The California Golden Bears are 0-0-1 against the spread

Important BYU Cougars Betting Trends

The BYU Cougars are 0-1-0 against the over/under

The BYU Cougars are 1-0-0 against the spread

Useful Offensive Statistics

The California Golden Bears have run for 160 yards as a team, which ranks 78th in college football. They've run 49 times, averaging 3.3 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Golden Bears have been penalized on offense 5 times for 35 yards so far this season, which has them 80th in the country in penalties. They are 88th in the nation in points scored with 24. They have run 81 plays this season for 279 yards, which ranks them 111th in Division 1 in total offense. The Golden Bears average 3.4 yards per play, which is 117th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 17 1st downs this year, placing them 106th overall as an offensive unit. Ross Bowers averages 3.3 yards per pass attempt and 3.3 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 8 passes on 17 attempts for a completion percentage of 47.1%. His quarterback rating this year is 74.7. He has thrown for 56 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Golden Bears rush defense has allowed 38 attempts for 164 yards this year, putting them in 79th place in D-1 against the run. California has committed 13 penalties for 124 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 126th in college football. They are 46th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 17. They have surrendered a total of 301 yards on D, which is 45th in the country. The Golden Bears are ranked 34th in yards per play allowed with 4.1. Opposing offenses have completed 15 passes on 35 attempts against the California Golden Bears defense this season, placing them 44th and 80th in Division 1. The California pass defense has also given up a total of 137 yards through the air, which is 33rd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

California Golden Bears kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 3 for 3 this year. Their punters have totaled 269 yards on 8 punts, averaging 34 yards per punt. That places them 110th in Division 1 in punting average. California is ranked 25th in the nation in punt returns with 3. They've accumulated 7 punt return yards and average 2.3 yards per return, which is 71st in college football. The Golden Bears average 21 yards per kick return and they are 114th in the country in all-purpose yards with 307.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Cougars are 81st in the country in points scored with 28. They have run 71 plays this year for 392 yards, which ranks them 81st in Division 1 in total offense. The BYU Cougars average 5.5 yards per play, which is 79th in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 23 1st downs this season, ranking them 67th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground BYU has run for 183 yards as a unit, which ranks 66th in college football. They've run 43 times, averaging 4.3 yards per rush as a unit. BYU has been penalized on offense 10 times for 94 yards so far this year, which has them 21st in the country in penalties. Tanner Mangum has passed for 209 yards this year. He's completed 18 throws while attempting 28 passes for a completion percentage of 64.3%. His quarterback rating this season is 138.8. He averages 8.2 adjusted yards per throw and 7.5 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

BYU is 67th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 23. They have given up a total of 326 yards on D, which is 60th in D-1. The Cougars are 56th in yards per play allowed with 4.7. Opponent offenses have completed 17 throws on 34 attempts against the BYU defense this season, ranking them 60th and 79th in the nation. The BYU Cougars pass defense has also surrendered a total of 197 yards in the air, which is 59th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 35 attempts for 129 yards this season, putting them in 58th place in the country against the run. The Cougars have had 4 penalties for 26 yards on defense this year. That places them 22nd in college football.

Special Teams Stats

BYU is 39th in the country in punt returns with 3. They've totaled 45 punt return yards and average 15 yards per return, which is 18th in D-1. BYU kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 4 for 4 this season. Their punters have accumulated 160 yards on 4 punts, averaging 40 yards per punt. That ranks them 72nd in the NCAA in punting average.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Golden Bears +2.5

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 Josh Schonwald