California Golden Bears vs Pittsburgh Panthers Matchup

Check out our free California Golden Bears vs Pittsburgh Panthers pick and preview for this CFB week 7 game in Pittsburgh. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this week 7 CFB matchup.

ESPN will be covering this week seven college football matchup between the California Golden Bears and Pittsburgh Panthers. The game is set for 3:30 ET on Saturday, October 12th, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Panthers come in with a perfect 5-0 record, while the Golden Bears are 3-2. The over/under line is at 59.5 points, and Pittsburgh is -3 point favorites at home.

Golden Bears vs. Panthers Matchup At A Glance

Sport: CFB
Teams: California Golden Bears at Pittsburgh Panthers
Where: Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium
Date: Saturday, October 12th
Betting Odds PITT -3, CAH +137 | PITT -165 O/U 59.5

Golden Bears Preview:

California enters Week 7 against Pittsburgh with a 3-2 record, ranked 45th in our power rankings. They have a 91.3% chance of becoming bowl-eligible but just a 0.1% shot at winning the Atlantic Coast. The Golden Bears are 1-1 at home and 1-1 on the road this season.

Cal has gone 3-1 against the spread, with a +8 average scoring margin. They are 2-0 ATS at home and have been favored in just one game this season.

The over/under line for this week is 59.5 points, higher than any of Cal’s previous games. Their over/under record is 1-3, with an average line of 49.9 points and an average total of 44 points per game.

Golden Bears Offense Breakdown

Heading into week 7, California’s offense is averaging 26 points per game, placing them 63rd nationally. They are ranked 74th in our offensive power rankings. Their rushing game has been underwhelming, with 132.2 yards per game, and they are 85th in third-down conversions, converting just 36.1% of their attempts.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has thrown for 1,177 yards, completing 64.8% of his passes. He has seven touchdowns and three interceptions, with a passer rating of 97. Leading receiver Nyziah Hunter has 185 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Golden Bears Team Defense

California's defense, ranked 20th nationally, has allowed 18 points per game this season. They are giving up 117.2 rushing yards per game (43rd) and 233.2 passing yards per game, ranking 105th. Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 59.9 against Cal, the 9th-lowest in the country, completing 54.8% of their passes.

In their last game, a 39-38 loss to Miami, Cal's defense allowed 39 points and 576 total yards, including 437 passing yards. Miami ran the ball 32 times for 139 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns. Cal's defense also forced one interception in the game.

Panthers Preview:

Cal has gone 3-1 against the spread, with a +8 average scoring margin. They are 2-0 ATS at home and have been favored in just one game this season.

Panthers Offense Breakdown

Heading into week 7, Pittsburgh’s offense ranks 5th in points per game, averaging 45.6. They are 11th in passing yards, with 340.4 per game, and 17th in completions, averaging 24.8. Eli Holstein, their quarterback, has thrown for 1,567 yards and 15 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 116.

Pittsburgh is 24th in our offensive power rankings. Holstein has three interceptions this season. Leading receiver Konata Mumpfield has 426 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers are 54th in rushing, with 182.8 yards per game.

Panthers Team Defense

Pittsburgh's defense has allowed an average of 25.2 points per game this season, ranking 46th nationally. In their recent game against North Carolina, they gave up 24 points, allowing 416 total yards, including 269 passing yards and 147 rushing yards.

Opponents have averaged 239.2 passing yards per game against Pittsburgh, completing 55.8% of their passes. On the ground, Pittsburgh has allowed 121.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 49th in the country.

Golden Bears vs Panthers Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

When looking at their past three road matchups, California has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 14 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
Through their last five home games, Pittsburgh has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 2-3 while averaging 20 points per game.
Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the California Golden Bears have a strong record vs the spread going 3-2. Their straight up mark in these contests is 2-3.
Through their last five games as the favorite, the Pittsburgh Panthers have an ATS record of 4-1 and a straight up mark of 4-1.