California Golden Bears vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Prediction, 12/16/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: California Golden Bears vs Texas Tech Red Raiders

Date: Saturday, December 16, 2023

Location: Independence Stadium in Shreveport, LA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Red Raiders (+1)

Total/Over-Under: 58.5

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-6) are hosting the California Golden Bears (6-6) at Independence Stadium on Saturday, December 16, 2023 in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Texas Tech opens this contest as 1-point dogs. The betting total is set at 58.5.

The California Golden Bears come into this matchup with a record of 6-6 for this year. In their last contest, the Golden Bears went up against the UCLA Bruins and notched a win by a score of 33-7. Jaydn Ott was the rushing leader for the Golden Bears with 21 carries for 80 yds (3.8 yds per attempt). Fernando Mendoza connected on 19/30 with 178 yds passing and 2 TDs. He had a quarterback rate of 121.8 and walked away from the contest with 2 picks. Against the rush, the Golden Bears conceded 70 yards on 36 tries, which is an average of 1.9 yds per run surrendered. California surrendered 30 pass completions on 47 tries for a total of 309 yards, and a completion percentage of 63.8%. On the day, they had 62 plays which totaled 302 yards. The California Golden Bears ended up rushing 32 times and amassed 124 yards, earning them an average of 3.9 yards per attempt.

The Golden Bears have tallied 4,748 yards in total for the season. In terms of scoring, California has amassed 22 passing touchdowns and 25 rushing touchdowns. They have surrendered the ball 24 different times. California has earned 264 first downs offensively, and they have been flagged for 65 penalties for 528 yards. As a team they hold an average of 181.1 yards on the ground ranking them 34th in D-1. Regarding putting the ball in the endzone, the California Golden Bears are averaging 31.6 PPG.

The Golden Bears are ranked 113th in college football in terms of the opposition scoring, giving up 32.7 points per contest. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.8 yards per rush on the ground and 133.9 rushing yards per game for the campaign. In total, they have allowed 1,607 rushing yards through 12 games. Concerning passing yards, the Golden Bears are conceding 3,390 yards which puts them in 128th in college football. They have conceded 282.5 yards per contest via the pass and conceding a completion percentage of 63.3%. For the year, they are giving up 416.4 yards per outing ranking them 109th in the nation. They have surrendered 28 touchdowns by air in addition to 22 touchdowns via the ground game.

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The Red Raiders come into this matchup with a record of 6-6 this year. The last time they took the field, the Red Raiders walked away with a loss by a score of 57-7 when they faced the Texas Longhorns. Tahj Brooks carried the football 24 times for 182 yds, finishing the game with 7.6 yds per carry for Texas Tech. Behren Morton (2 touchdowns) ended the contest with 256 yds on 21/34 through the air while his quarterback rating was 138.5. He threw 1 pick and his average yards per pass attempt was 7.5. Texas Tech relinquished 43 attempts on the ground for 302 yds (7.0 yds per rush). The Red Raiders passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 59.4%, surrendering 226 yards on 19 for 32 through the air. The Red Raiders finished the game with a total of 198 yds and they ran 64 plays (3.1 yards per play). Texas Tech ran for 3.9 yards per attempt, finishing with 110 yards on 28 carries.

When it comes to their scoring prowess, the Red Raiders sit 71st in the country with an average of 26.8 points per game. The Texas Tech Red Raiders maintain an average of 386.9 yards per game, which has them sitting 63rd in the nation. The Texas Tech offense has 634 penalty yds on 67 violations, which is good for 81st in the nation in terms of giving up free yards. They have given away 17 interceptions while losing 4 fumbles and they have been able to earn 262 first downs. For the season so far, the Red Raiders have thrown for a total of 2,653 yards via the pass along with an average of 221.1 passing yards per outing, giving them a rank of 73rd in college football. They have an average of 165.8 yards per game via the rush and have run for 1,990 yards in total.

The Red Raiders are allowing 27.0 PPG, ranking them 73rd in Division 1. Texas Tech has given up a total of 2,012 yards rushing (167.7 yards per game) as well as 18 touchdowns by way of the ground game for the year. This year, they have relinquished 324 points in total. They have surrendered 16 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 226.5 yards/outing, which puts them in 67th in the nation. The Red Raiders defense has participated in 858 plays, ranking them 105th in D-1. They have earned 4 fumbles and 10 picks so far this year.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Golden Bears -1

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