Miami vs Cal (Week 6): Odds, Predictions & How to Watch

Miami vs Cal (Week 6): Odds, Predictions & How to Watch

Watch the Video here: Miami vs California | College Football Week 6 Game Preview

Miami vs California Game Preview

In a primetime showdown on Saturday night, the Miami Hurricanes travel across the country to face the California Golden Bears at 10:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. This is a compelling matchup, with Miami coming off a wild finish last week and California enjoying the benefit of a bye. The Hurricanes come into this contest as the 10.5-point road favorite.

TV Channel and Kickoff Time for Miami vs California

Tune in to ESPN at 10:30 p.m. Eastern to watch the Miami Hurricanes take on the California Golden Bears live from Berkeley, California.

Betting Odds: Spread, Total, and Moneyline Explained

Here’s how the odds look for this Week 6 matchup:

  • Point Spread: Miami -10.5
  • Moneyline: California +308 | Miami -380
  • Total (Over/Under): 55 points

Betting the Spread

Miami is favored by 10.5 points, meaning they need to win by 11 or more to cover the spread. If Cal loses by 10 points or fewer, or wins outright, they will cover the spread.

Betting the Moneyline

For the moneyline, a bet on Cal (+308) would return $308 on a $100 bet if they win outright. A bet on Miami (-380) requires a $380 wager to win $100.

Betting the Total (Over/Under)

The total is set at 55 points, which means if you bet the over, you’re predicting that the combined score of both teams will be higher than 55 points. Betting the under means you believe the total score will be lower than 55.

The implied score here is approximately Miami 33, California 22.

Implied Score and What to Expect

The implied score suggests a 33-22 outcome in favor of Miami, and the Hurricanes are coming off a rollercoaster finish last week. But don’t count out California, especially with head coach Justin Wilcox’s track record of thriving as an underdog in these spots.

Injury Report

At the moment, there are no significant injury concerns for either team. However, closer to kickoff, check for any injury updates, particularly for key players on both teams.

Game Analysis: Offense vs Defense

Miami’s Electric Offense
Miami has one of the more potent offenses in the ACC, led by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and running back Cam’Ron Harris. The Hurricanes have a deep wide receiver corps, and California’s secondary will have its hands full trying to contain them. Miami ranks 15th in EPA per play, indicating their offensive efficiency has been strong through the season.

California’s Defensive Prowess
Justin Wilcox is known for fielding gritty, hard-nosed defenses. While Cal has struggled in some areas this season, particularly on offense, Wilcox has built a reputation for pulling off upsets as a heavy underdog. His teams have consistently performed well in these situations, especially coming off a bye. Cal ranks 22-9 against the spread as a dog of seven points or more under Wilcox, making this a very intriguing matchup despite the talent gap.

Key Matchups

  • Miami’s Passing Attack vs California’s Secondary: Miami’s wide receivers, including Xavier Restrepo, could cause serious issues for a Cal defense that may struggle to cover Miami’s speed on the outside.
  • California’s Ground Game vs Miami’s Rush Defense: Miami has been susceptible to the run, which could give Cal’s Jaydn Ott opportunities to gain some yards and control the clock.

Predictions: Can Wilcox’s Cal Keep It Close?

Miami Needs to Avoid the Trap
The Hurricanes are flying high and look to extend their dominance, but this is a tricky game with a cross-country trip and a late kickoff. Miami has struggled as a double-digit favorite under Mario Cristobal, and this could be another situation where they don’t cover the spread.

Wilcox’s Record as a Double-Digit Dog
Justin Wilcox has been fantastic as an underdog, especially at home. His record against the spread as a home dog is 9-2, with an impressive average ATS margin of +12.05 points. It’s hard to bet against Wilcox in this spot.

Final Prediction: Miami 31, California 23

While Miami should come away with the win, don’t be surprised if this game is closer than expected. Take California +10.5 with confidence, given Wilcox’s ability to overperform in these underdog situations.

Key Takeaways and Betting Advice

  • Consider betting California +10.5 based on Wilcox’s track record as a double-digit underdog.
  • The under 55 points could also be worth a look, as Cal’s defense may slow Miami down enough to keep the total lower than expected.
  • Miami’s offense should be the difference, but don’t underestimate Wilcox’s ability to keep the game close.

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