#8 Miami vs California: NCAA Football Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (10/5)

The Miami Hurricanes fly all the way across the country in this ACC matchup as they take on the California Golden Bears of Berkeley. Miami is absolutely rolling this season, off to a 5-0 start and are going into a bye week following this trip to the West Coast. However, they are facing a Golden Bears team that went bowling last year and are coming off a bye week. Could California take down the Hurricanes at home?

Like I mentioned, Miami is red hot. They beat down Florida in the Swamp, annihilated Florida A&M, Ball State, and South Florida, outscoring those three teams 168-24 in the process, and then took down the Hokies last weekend. Cam Ward is playing incredible, tossing the ball for nearly 1,800 yards with 18 TDs and 4 picks, along with 146 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. Now, he is coming off a game with his lowest completion percentage of the season and 2 picks, but I trust him to stay calm and lead this offense on the road.

The Golden Bears have been less than impressive to be honest with you. Two weeks ago they lost to Florida State on the road, failing to score a touchdown. Prior to that, they had wins against UC Davis, San Diego State, and at Auburn. Coming off a bye and hosting the Hurricanes will certainly help the Bears, but will it be enough to take down the #8 team in the nation?

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Miami Hurricanes vs California Bears: ACC in Berkeley

Matchup Information – Miami vs California

• Venue & Location: Memorial Stadium (Berkeley, CA)
• Date: Saturday, October 5th, 2024
• Kick Off: 10:30pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Miami -10.5 (-105)
• California +10.5 (-115)

Money Line

• Miami -400
• California +320

Total

• Over 53.5 (-112)
• Under 53.5 (-108)

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California Off a Bye Week Host Miami

The Golden Bears are well rested after their first loss of the season to a not so good Florida State team. However they traveled all the way to the Sunshine State for that game. Now, they’ve had a nice two week break at home, and their opponent is the one flying across the country for this ACC matchup on the West Coast. The Hurricanes will be going into their bye week following this game, so all the more reason for Mario Cristobal to have his fellas fired up and ready to roll and earn their rest next weekend.

The main question will be whether the California offense can keep up with the Hurricanes. Miami is going to score in this game, plain and simple. They are scoring nearly 50 points per game, can do whatever they please offensively with Cam Ward at QB, and overall, look like a force to be reckoned with. Defensively, they were a bit iffy last week, but Virginia Tech is probably the best offense they’ve seen all year. This weekend, I could see them slowing down Fernando Mendoza and the Bears, making it tough for them to keep up.

However, with the line sitting at 10.5, this game has “backdoor cover” written all over it. I could see the Hurricanes dominating all game long, only to lead by 17 late in the game. Of course at that point they wouldn’t care if California got a garbage time touchdown, but plenty of people out there would. I think the Bears cover, the Hurricanes win, but I won’t be staying up to watch the end (unless it’s exciting). Instead, I’ll get in and get out, as I’ve got a first half wager.

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Miami Hurricanes vs California Bears Best Bets

Miami vs California Prediction: Miami Wins, California Covers, Over 53.5

Best Bets: Miami 1H TT Over 16.5 (-120) Bovada

We will back the Hurricanes to start red hot in this matchup. Miami has played 5 games, clearing this number in the 1st half in all 5 of those games. They have scored twice in the first quarter in 4/5 games this year, which tells you that their offensive is very efficient, and their defense makes quick stops early. All of that adds up to plenty of points early for Miami.

Like I said, the Hurricanes have scored 17+ points before halftime in each matchup, and despite the Bears being at home, I don’t think they slow down Miami. While California hasn’t allowed more than 14 points in an entire game this season, they have not faced an offense like the Hurricanes. Auburn and Florida State do not compare to a potential Heisman quarterback leading his team to 6+ touchdowns per game. I have been high on this Miami team since the beginning of the season, and I think they stay hot rolling into their much deserved bye week. Get me in and out, with 3 quick scores for the Hurricanes on Saturday Night!

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• NCAA Football 2024 Preview
• Current Heisman Odds
• ACC 2024 Preview
• SEC 2024 Preview
• Big Ten Preview
• Big 12 Preview

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