Oregon State vs. California Pick – CFB Week 6 Betting Preview

Oregon State Beavers (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) vs. California Golden Bears (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS)

College Football Week 6

Date and Time: 2023 at 10PM EDT

Where: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California

TV: Pac-12 Network

Point Spread: OSU -9.5/CAL +9.5 (It’s a GREAT day to take 2 mins to learn about reduced juice!)

Money Line: ORST -370, CAL +285

Over/Under Total: 52.5

The Oregon State Beavers come to Berkeley to battle the California Golden Bears on Saturday in Pac-12 action. The Beavers are coming off a big week, where they beat the Utah Utes, 21-7. They look to keep it going in conference play with a tough road spot at Cal. Last week, Cal got their first conference win with a 24-21 win over Arizona State. Who can keep it rolling this week?

Where Each Team Stands

After dusting off their first three opponents with ease, the Beavers lost narrowly on the road at Washington State in their conference-opener, 38-35. Therefore, it was key for them to perform well against a ranked Utah bunch last week and they indeed did that, seeing their defense hold the Utes to one TD which came late in the 4th quarter, capping off a great showing by their defensive unit. It’s a win that should put some wind in their sails.

The Cal Golden Bears haven’t had that dissimilar of a trajectory. Their only early-season loss was a 14-10 squeaker to Auburn and like the Beavers, they fell short in their Pac-12 opener, losing to Washington on the road, 59-32. And while they didn’t cover against a down Sun Devils team last week, they got the win and now look to provide what would be a great jump-start to the program with a big win this week.

Main Challenges for Cal This Week

It is difficult with such a skimpy sample of conference games upon which to rely, as there have been mixed signs from this Cal “D” this season. We have the promising non-conference performances where they gave up 14 to Auburn and even in allowing just 21 to the North Texas Mean Green. Giving up 21 to Arizona State last week is neither here nor there, though the 58 allowed to Washington could be a portal of what to expect when they tangle with the better offenses they face this season.

We’ve seen Oregon State quarterback and former Clemson starter DJ Uiagalelei finding his bearings within a new system. He has 8 TDs through the air and five more on the ground. He works with two good backs that should push this Cal front in Deshaun Fenwick and Damien Martinez. The run is really their bread-and-butter, but they have ample aerial talent with receivers like Silas Bolden and Anthony Gould. It’s a balanced offense that on the right day can throw a bunch of points up there, precisely the kind of group that could push a Cal “D” to the extents of their limitations.

Hope for Cal?

Albeit in a reduced conference context, the Golden Bears saw a lot of what they’d like to see happen last week, with Jaydn Ott running for 165 yards and a TD, with the “D” stepping up with a big INT late to seal the win. They aren’t going to wow anyone at the QB position, with Ben Finley and Sam Jackson, V. leading the way, but they make up for it somewhat with a potent run-game. Ott and Isaiah Ifanse are a really nice one-two punch out of the backfield.

It’s just that this season so far, we’ve seen the Oregon State “D” hold up decently against the run, with neither Washington State or Utah really able to crank up that part of their game. That could put more emphasis on the quarterback play for Cal and from what we’ve seen thus far, that might not be a part of their offense they can ride to victory at elevated levels such as this.

What to Expect

We need to brace for some of the built-in turbulence in this conference. Expecting Cal to hang in there with the real kingpins of this conference, offensive juggernauts like USC and Oregon, might be asking too much. Or maybe Utah’s defense would be a bad matchup. But at home against an all-around good, but not great team in the Beavers, having a hopeful outlook isn’t all that misplaced. It’s just at some point without some major spikes on either side of the ball, Oregon State’s superior overall firepower figures to take hold.

Lay the Number on the Road Favorite

Cal can be tricky, even if they’re not that all-pass/no “D” team they used to be that was at least dangerous. They’re better-rounded now, but against better teams that are also well-rounded, sometimes they don’t have anything to help them stand out in a game like this. With similar approaches, it is Oregon State who has seen their formula manifest, coming off a win over a ranked team on the heels of a promising 10-win season last year. I see them handling Cal this week with a win and cover in Berkeley.

Loot’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the Oregon State Beavers minus 9.5 points. Rough weekend? Boost your bankroll with a “Deposit $100 and get $100 FREE” offer when you use promo code PREDICTEM at BetUS Sportsbook! (This deal is actually good for all the way up to $500 if you want more!)