The California Golden Bears are heading east to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers in an exciting ACC showdown on Saturday, October 12. With Pitt aiming to stay undefeated and Cal looking to bounce back from a tough loss, this game promises plenty of action for fans and bettors alike.
In this betting guide, we’ll cover the latest odds, key predictions, and our best bet for this highly anticipated Week 7 college football matchup.
Betting Odds for Cal vs. Pittsburgh
The opening odds have Pittsburgh as a 3.5-point favorite, a line that has held steady at most major sportsbooks. Some sites have adjusted slightly to Pittsburgh -3 with odds at -115.
The total points for this game are currently set between 59 and 59.5, suggesting a high-scoring contest. Both defenses are ranked outside the Top 50 in passing yards allowed, adding to the expectation of offensive fireworks.
Will Cal Recover After Their Tough Loss?
Cal is coming off a devastating loss to Miami, where they blew a 25-point lead in the second half due to defensive mistakes. If the Golden Bears want to pull off an upset, they’ll need to shake off that loss and refocus.
Sophomore quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been a key player for Cal, throwing for 1,177 yards and 7 touchdowns so far this season. His deep-ball accuracy has improved in recent weeks, with wide receiver Nyziah Hunter emerging as a reliable target with 4 touchdowns.
Cal’s defense has been solid against the run, allowing just 3.4 yards per carry (28th nationally). They also rank 27th in sack rate, with Xavier Carlton leading the team with 4.5 sacks.
Mendoza has accumulated 1,177 yards on 64.8% passing with seven touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Leading the ground game is Thomas, who has rushed 45 times for 287 yards (57.4 per game) and one touchdown. Jaydn Ott has contributed with 47 carries, totaling 135 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 115 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air. Nyziah Hunter tops the receiving corps with 185 yards on 15 catches and four touchdowns. Endries has 146 receiving yards (29.2 per game) and one touchdown on 11 receptions, while Corey Dyches has grabbed 11 catches for 139 yards and one touchdown on 17 targets.
Can Pitt’s Offense Continue to Dominate?
Freshman quarterback Eli Holstein, a transfer from Alabama, has transformed Pitt’s offense. Holstein has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns, surpassing 300 yards in 4 of his 5 starts this season.
Holstein’s top target is Konata Mumpfield, who has 26 receptions for 426 yards and 3 touchdowns. Running back Desmond Reid is also a big-play threat, and Cal will need to be disciplined to contain him.
Pitt’s defense has also been strong against the run, ranking 23rd in yards per carry allowed. Linebacker Kyle Louis has been a standout with 2 sacks and 2 interceptions.
Pittsburgh’s offensive leader, Eli Holstein, has been a dynamic dual-threat this season, throwing for 1,567 yards with a 65.5% completion rate, 15 touchdown passes, and three interceptions. On the ground, Holstein has added 265 rushing yards (53.0 per game) and three touchdowns on 48 carries. The top rusher, Desmond Reid, has tallied 374 rushing yards on 62 carries (74.8 per game) with one touchdown, while also contributing 322 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 24 catches. Konata Mumpfield leads the receiving corps with 426 yards on 23 catches (35 targets) and three touchdowns. Censere Lee has added 230 yards on 16 receptions (46.0 per game) with two receiving touchdowns.
Best Bet: Pittsburgh -3 (-115)
Pitt looks like the stronger team going into this matchup. Cal’s heartbreaking loss last week may still be weighing on their minds, and while their defense has been solid, their struggles on third downs and in the red zone could prove costly.
Pitt, with no distractions from a bye week on the horizon, should be able to cover the 3-point spread. Although Cal’s defense is tough, Pitt’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, making them the safer bet.
For our best bet, take Pitt -3.
