Auburn Tigers vs. California Golden Bears: Week 2 Predictions & Picks

California Golden Bears (1-0 SU, ATS 0-0) vs Auburn Tigers (1-0 SU, ATS 0-0)
Date: 3:30 EST Saturday, September 7th
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
TV: ESPN2
Point Spread: Cal +13/AU -13
Money Line: Cal +398/AU -546
Over/Under: 53.5

ESPN2 will be covering this week two non-conference matchup between the California Golden Bears and the Auburn Tigers, set to kick off at 3:30 ET from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. The over/under line is currently at 53.5 points. Auburn is the -13-point favorite at home, and both teams are 1-0 coming into this game.

Head-to-Head Matchup:

Last season, the California Golden Bears and Auburn Tigers did not face off head-to-head. When looking back over the last three times these two teams have played, the Auburn Tigers have the leg up at 2-1. However, against the spread the California Golden Bears went 2-1. The over/under record in these matchups was 0-3 on an average of 62 points per game.

California Golden Bears Recent Form:

California is off to a strong start this season, moving to 1-0 after a 31-13 win over UC Davis. The Golden Bears were favored, but no betting lines were available for this matchup.

UC Davis kept it close in the first quarter, but California still led 7-6. The Golden Bears extended their lead to 14-13 by halftime, and they took control in the second half, shutting out UC Davis in the third quarter and adding 7 more points in the fourth to secure the win.

California’s offense, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, put up 283 yards in their 31-13 win over UC Davis. Mendoza completed 15 of 22 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, earning a passer rating of 103.98. Nyziah Hunter was his top target, catching four passes for 47 yards.

The Golden Bears’ offense recorded 16 first downs, with Jaydn Ott contributing 49 yards on the ground. Ott also scored two rushing touchdowns, while the team finished with 104 rushing yards.

California’s defense had a strong showing in their most recent game, coming up with three interceptions while holding UC Davis to 13 points. The Golden Bears allowed 305 total yards, with 84 yards coming on the ground. UC Davis attempted 48 passes, completing 24 of them for 221 yards through the air.

Away Injury Report

Auburn Tigers Recent Form:

Auburn is off to a strong start this season, moving to 1-0 after a 73-3 victory over Alabama A&M. This game was not included in the betting lines.

The Tigers dominated from the start, taking a 28-0 lead after the first quarter. By halftime, they were up 52-3, and they added 14 more points in the third quarter. Auburn’s defense shut out Alabama A&M in the second half, while their offense added 21 points in the second quarter and 7 points in the fourth.

In their 73-3 win over Alabama A&M, Auburn’s offense put up 628 total yards, with 451 yards coming through the air. Payton Thorne led the way, completing 13 of 21 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns. His passer rating for the game was 145.34. Malcolm Simmons was the top receiver, with three receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Auburn’s ground game was limited to 177 yards on 18 carries, but they still managed to score three rushing touchdowns. Jarquez Hunter averaged 13.2 yards per carry, finishing with 53 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

Auburn’s defense was dominant in their 73-3 win, limiting Alabama A&M to just 36 rushing yards on 36 attempts. The Tigers allowed 13 first downs and 240 total yards, with most of the Bulldogs’ yardage coming through the air. Alabama A&M completed 16 of 34 passes for 204 yards against Auburn’s secondary.

Home Injury Report

Betting Trends

• California has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 24 points per game while allowing 18. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• Auburn has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 30 points per game while allowing 18. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• The last five games that California was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 1-4 straight up.
• Auburn has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-2 SU and 3-2 ATS in their last five games.

Free Pick

The spread tells you everything you need to know in this one, as Auburn is the heavy favorite, and one of the top offensive units in College Football, but the O/U line is only 52.5. Put simply, California is going to struggle offensively this season. For this matchup, don’t get scared off by the big number at -13, go ahead and take Auburn to win and cover at home.