by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Sep 24, 2021
Game time: 9:30 p.m. ET, September 25, 2021
Venue: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Where to watch: Pac-12 Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Washington -7.5; O/U 47; UW -320, Cal +250
BetMGM: Washington -7.5; O/U 46.5; UW -323, Cal +250
Caesars: Washington -7.5; O/U 46.5; UW -320, Cal +250
Season record
Cal: 1-2
Washington: 1-2
Team Del Genio was a PERFECT 4-0 in all-sports on Saturday to further a 9 of 11 (82%) HOT STREAK this week, WINNING their 25* NCAA-F Pac-12 Game of the Month with USC and their 25* NCAA-F Saturday TV Total of the Month with the ASU/BYU under! Catch Del Genio’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
California - Washington preview and analysis
Recent form
Cal: won 42-30 vs. Sacramento State on Sept. 18
Washington: won 52-3 vs. Arkansas State on Sept. 18
Although the start to the season hasn’t been any good to the Washington Huskies, getting back to .500 against the California Golden Bears is a good way to right the ship a bit.
The Huskies couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start in these first two games, combining for 17 points in two losses against the FCS Montana Grizzlies and the Michigan Wolverines.
But UW answered with its first win of the season this past Saturday in a 49-point win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The Huskies had a rather pedestrian game from quarterback Dylan Morris despite 367 yards through the air; he threw three touchdowns but had two interceptions.
Wide receiver Jalen McMillan, however, did not have an average day. He caught 10 receptions for a team-high 175 yards and a touchdown to lead the UW receiving group.
It’s a good time for the Huskies’ offense to find its groove considering they’re facing a Cal team that has won the last two meetings by two and one points, respectively. The Golden Bears gave up 467 yards to Sacramento State and only won by 12 as 24-point favorites.
Despite getting the win, Chase Garbers wasn’t even the best quarterback on the field. Jake Dunniway had 370 yards and two touchdowns in what was another near upset for an FCS team over a Pac-12 team. How wonderful would this matchup have been for the Pac-12 investors that had to go to any more of Cal’s games or UW home games if Sacramento State pulled this off?
May we all just escape college football games with no more crazy scares like this.
Prediction
At the end of the day, between two teams that have been underwhelming, the Huskies are the right play here. Now that both teams enter Pac-12 play, it should be the time where Washington gets rolling again and to get a much-needed win to right this ship. Washington by 20
Betting trends
Cal is 20-8 in its last 28 games against the spread as a road underdog between 7.5 and 14 points.
Cal is 6-1 in its last seven ATS in games that follow after allowing 100 rush yards or less.
UW is 12-5 straight up in its last 17 as a favorite and 8-3 in its last 11 as a home favorite.
Players to watch
Cal: Look for the Bears to utilize Damien Moore and control the game on the ground. Moore had 87 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns this season.
Washington: Huskies receiver Terrell Bynum is averaging 19.9 yards per catch on only nine receptions this year. He’s Morris’ big-play guy and he’ll be utilized as such to take the top off a struggling Cal defense.
Statistical leaders
Cal:
Passing: Chase Garbers -- 774 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Damien Moore -- 237 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Trevon Clark -- 227 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Daniel Scott -- 2 INT
Washington:
Passing: Dylan Morris -- 886 yards, 4 TD, 5 INT
Rushing: Richard Newton -- 138 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Taj Davis -- 231 yards
Defense: Jackson Simon -- 21 tackles
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Cal - Washington prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NCAA projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
