California Golden Bears vs Pittsburgh Panthers Prediction, 10/12/2024 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: California Golden Bears vs Pittsburgh Panthers

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024

Location: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Panthers (-4.0)

Total/Over-Under: 60

The Pittsburgh Panthers (5-0) are hosting the California Golden Bears (3-2) at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, October 12, 2024. California opens as 4.0-point dogs. The total is set at 60.

The California Golden Bears come into this matchup with a record of 3-2 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Golden Bears took the field against the Miami Hurricanes and took a loss by a score of 39-38. Overall, they ran 49 plays which converted into 370 yards. The California Golden Bears ended up rushing 25 times and had 73 yds, which earned them an average of 2.9 yds per attempt. Against the run, the Golden Bears conceded 138 yards on 33 tries, which calculates to 4.2 yards per run allowed. California allowed 35 completions on 53 attempts for 437 yards, and a completion rate of 66.0%.

The Golden Bears have earned 1,866 total yards over the course of this year. With reference to getting the ball in the endzone, California has compiled 7 passing touchdowns and 7 touchdowns via the ground. They have surrendered the football 4 times. California has compiled 91 first downs, and they have committed 44 infractions for 336 yds. As a team they're maintaining an average of 131.2 yards on the ground giving them a rank of 97th in the nation. When it comes to putting the ball in the endzone, the California Golden Bears hold an average of 26.0 points per game.

Regarding yards through the air, the Golden Bears have allowed 1,166 yds which puts them in 78th in college football. They have relinquished 233.2 yards per outing through the air in addition to giving up a completion percentage of 55.7%. Overall, they have surrendered 345.0 yards/game which has them ranked 60th in the nation. They have allowed 5 touchdowns by air as well as 6 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing an average of 3.4 yards per rushing attempt and 111.8 rushing yards per game this season. Over the course of this year, they have allowed 559 yards on the ground through 5 games. The Golden Bears sit in 25th in Division 1 concerning the opposition scoring, allowing 18.0 points per contest.

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The Panthers come into this matchup with a record of 5-0 this season. The last time they took the field, the Panthers went home victorious with a score of 34-24 against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Pittsburgh rushed the ball for 4.0 yds per carry, finishing the contest with 139 yds on 35 carries. The Panthers finished the game with a total of 520 yards and they ran 77 plays (6.8 yds per play). The Panthers pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 53.3%, relinquishing 269 yards on 24 out of 45 through the air. Pittsburgh gave up 35 attempts on the ground for 147 yds (4.2 yards per rush).

When it comes to how much they score, the Panthers rank 6th in Division 1 with 45.6 points per outing. The Pittsburgh Panthers have an average of 522.2 yards per contest, which ranks them 4th in the country. The Pittsburgh offense has 330 penalty yards on 35 infractions, which is good for 51st in D-1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They have thrown 3 picks while allowing opponents to recover 1 fumble and they have recorded 130 first downs. During this campaign so far, the Panthers have thrown for a total of 1,702 yards through the air along with holding an average of 340.4 passing yards per game, ranking them 6th in D-1. They hold an average of 181.8 rushing yards per game and have rushed for 909 yards for the year.

The Panthers are allowing 25.2 PPG, which puts them 78th in college football. Pittsburgh has allowed the opposition a total of 588 yards via the ground game (117.6 yards per outing) and 3 touchdowns rushing for the season. Over the course of the season, they have allowed 126 points in total. They have surrendered 10 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 239.2 yards/game, which has them ranked 96th in Division 1. The Panthers defense has been on the field for 364 plays, which is 93rd in the country. Their defense has compiled 3 fumbles recovered and 5 picks so far this season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Golden Bears +4.0

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