Two teams looking to stay in the hunt for a bowl appearance will face off tonight as the California Golden Bears take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

The Golden Bears have lost four of their last five games, while the Demon Deacons have gained momentum and should carry their momentum into this crucial matchup. Read on to see my California vs. Wake Forest predictions and my college football picks for Friday, November 8.

Kickoff is at 8:00 PM ET from Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, with the game broadcast on the ACC Network.

California vs. Wake Forest prediction and best bet

My best choice
Wake Forest +7 (-110 at BetMGM)
Picks made at the time of writing may not reflect live odds.

My analysis

Friday night’s game should be closely contested as both the California Golden Bears and Wake Forest Demon Deacons are vying for a bowl appearance. Cal is still looking for its first-ever ACC win, while Wake is looking for its fourth win in five games.

It’s been a frustrating season for Cal. The Bears have played quality football for the most part, but are winless in conference play, with their four losses combining for nine points.

Wake was the slight opposite, as the Demon Deacons’ last three wins came by a combined 10 points. Both teams have a habit of playing in one-score games – Wake has done this in four of the last five, while the same can be said of Cal – so I’ll take the points with the Demon Deacons in what’s predicted to be a close match .

Wake was without two cornerbacks, Jamare Glasker and Capone Blue, against Stanford, but both could make their returns this week. Glasker was absent with a fever and probably recovered after the farewell.

The Demon Deacons have been bad on defense for most of the year (120th in EPA per game), but are getting healthier, and it’s not like Cal has been lethal on offense (84th in success rate).

The Bears really struggle to block, ranking 115th in line yards, 126th in front-seven havoc and 96th in stuff rate. It’s hard to trust a team that puts up a full touchdown on a cross-country road trip, especially when it can’t block. The Bears were the victims of Florida State’s only win of the season, surrendering 12 TFLs in a total collapse up front.

I don’t see enough separation between these teams to trust Cal on this number. For example, Wake is PFF’s 54th-ranked team overall, while Cal is 70th. These are two teams of similar caliber, so I’ll take the points with the home team in what looks like a close game.

California vs. Wake Forest same-game parlay (SGP)

Wakebos +7

Fernando Mendoza Over 254.5 passing yards

Jaydn Ott anytime TD

Horatio Fields Over 49.5 receiving yards

Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza has thrown for at least 270 yards in five straight games. He matches a Wake high schooler who has struggled all year, ranking 127th in EPA per stroke and 133rd in passing percentage.

Cal’s biggest problem offensively is its inability to block, but that concern is assuaged against a Wake team with just 10 sacks on the year and a 129th-ranked front-seven ranking.

The Bears have a star in Jaydn Ott. The NFL Draft prospect racked up 1,484 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago but hasn’t been able to showcase his skills this year while dealing with injuries. He returned to the field this past game and was described as the healthiest he has been all year, and I expect him to look a little more like his former self after the much-needed bye week.

The Wake player I’m focusing on in the prop market is Horatio Fields.

The absence of teammate Donavon Greene has left him stuck in a key role and has seen at least seven goals in four of his last five games. I’m betting he’ll reach 50 receiving yards as one of his team’s best options offensively, especially if star running back Demond Claiborne is at less than 100% after leaving the Deacons’ last game and putting ice on his shoulder .

Learn how to parlay on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Odds between California and Wake Forest

California vs Wake Forest Live Betting

Opening odds California vs. Wake Forest

• California vs. Wake Forest spread: Wakebos +7.5
• California vs. Wake Forest Moneyline: California -275, Wake Forest +220
• California vs. Wake Forest Over/Under: 54.5

Odds courtesy of BetMGM

California vs. Wake Forest Spread and Over/Under Analysis

• This will be the first ever meeting between these two schools. Cal has traveled East three times this year, beating Auburn and losing to both Florida State and Pittsburgh.
• Cal has struggled in conference play for some time under Justin Wilcox, going 2-10 in their last twelve games against conference opponents.
• Wake has tended to play high-scoring first halves, reaching the 1H Total Over in seven of the last eleven games. That makes for a contrast of styles against a Cal team that has immediately taken down the Under in six games.

California vs. Wake Forest betting trends to know

In Cal’s last 18 games against Power Conference teams, it has won by more than seven points only twice. Find more college football betting odds for California vs. Wake Forest.

California vs. Wake Forest Game Information

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