In Week 4 of the 2025 College Football season, the California Golden Bears will travel to San Diego to take on the San Diego State Aztecs. The game is set to kick off at 10:30 PM at Snapdragon Stadium and will be broadcast on CBSS. With a pristine 3-0 record this season, California has shown strong performance both at home and on the road. California enters the game with a solid start to their season, having defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Texas Southern Tigers, and Oregon State Beavers in consecutive games. Their offense has proven to be effective, especially in passing yards, as evidenced by their recent victories. The Golden Bears, who are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference, will look to maintain their undefeated streak. On the other side, the San Diego State Aztecs hold a 1-1 record, with a notable home victory against the Stony Brook Seawolves. Their defense shined in their home opener, achieving a shutout. San Diego State, representing the Mountain West Conference, aims to leverage their home field advantage to challenge the visiting Golden Bears.
San Diego State vs California At a Glance
- Venue: Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA
- Game Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
- Broadcast: CBSS
- California Golden Bears Record: 3-0 for the season
- San Diego State Aztecs Record: 1-1 for the season
- Odds: California -12.5, Total Points 48.5
San Diego State Aztecs: A Data-Driven Preview of Their Upcoming Game
Team Offense Overview
The San Diego State Aztecs have had a challenging start to their 2025 season on the offensive side. They have scored a total of 55 points, which places them 69th in the rankings.
Their passing game has been notably underwhelming, with only 360 passing yards to date, ranking them at 120th. Their rushing yards stand at 308, ranking them 109th, highlighting areas for potential improvement.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Aztecs have been more impressive. They’ve allowed 36 points, which ranks them 22nd, showcasing a relatively strong defensive front.
They’ve managed to secure 3 sacks, placing them at 12th in this category. Their defense has been effective in terms of interceptions and fumbles recovered, with 0 recorded in both categories.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent game against Washington State, the Aztecs struggled offensively, managing only 10 first downs and 133 passing yards. Their rushing game was limited to 82 yards, contributing to a 36-13 loss.
Their defense faced challenges as well, allowing 257 passing yards and 145 rushing yards. This highlights areas that require strategic adjustments in the upcoming games.
Key Players to Watch
Jayden Denegal, the quarterback, has shown potential with 341 passing yards across two games, although he has yet to record a passing interception. Lucky Sutton stands out as a key running back, having accumulated 188 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
Wide receiver Jacob Bostick has also been a notable performer, with 6 receptions and 104 receiving yards, making him a crucial target for the Aztecs’ offense.
Injury Report
The Aztecs will miss Ben Scolari, a wide receiver, who is out for the season due to a knee injury. This absence might affect their offensive dynamics and depth in the receiving corps.
Upcoming Schedule
San Diego State will host the California Golden Bears at Snapdragon Stadium on September 20, 2025. They will then travel to face the Northern Illinois Huskies on September 27, 2025, at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium.
Following these games, the Aztecs will host the Colorado State Rams and then travel to face the Nevada Wolf Pack, indicating a challenging set of fixtures ahead.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 22 Games (2020–2025) → 18-4 (81.8%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 5-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Totals ≤ 42: Last 3 Games (2022) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – Totals ≤ 42: Last 3 Games (2022) → 3-0 (100.0%)
California Golden Bears Look to Continue Winning Streak Against San Diego State
Team Overview
The California Golden Bears have started their 2025 season with an impressive 3-0 record. Their most recent victory was a 27-14 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This performance has bolstered their status as a team to watch this season.
With a strong offensive showing, the Golden Bears have accumulated 96 points, placing them 37th in the national rankings. Their passing game has been particularly effective, with 799 yards securing a 38th place rank. However, their rushing game, with 373 yards, ranks only 92nd.
Key Players
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has been pivotal in the team’s offensive success. In three games, he has thrown for 772 yards and six touchdowns, making him a key asset. His performance ranks him as the top quarterback on the team.
Running back Kendrick Raphael leads the rushing attack with 210 yards over three games. Raphael’s contribution, although modest, is crucial for maintaining a balanced offense. Wide receiver Trond Grizzell has been a standout in the receiving corps with 175 yards and a touchdown, leading the team in receiving yards.
Defensive Strengths
California’s defense has been a force, allowing only 32 points over the first three games. Their pass rush has been effective, recording five sacks, which ranks them 10th nationally. The defense also excels in creating turnovers with three interceptions and two fumbles recovered, both ranked 4th nationally.
Upcoming Game Against San Diego State
California will face San Diego State Aztecs on September 20, 2025, at Snapdragon Stadium. As 12.5-point favorites, the Golden Bears will look to extend their undefeated streak. The game is expected to be a test for their defense against a dynamic Aztecs offense.
Recent Performance and Strategy
In their last game against Minnesota, California displayed a robust defense and efficient passing attack. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s performance will be crucial in their strategy against San Diego State. Their defense will aim to pressure the Aztecs’ quarterback and create turnovers.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 18-2 in the last 20 games
- SU – All Games: 3-0 in the last 3 games
- ATS – Away Games: 6-2 in the last 8 games
- O/U – After Loss: 12-4-1 in the last 17 games
With a balanced offense and strong defensive play, California is well-positioned to continue their winning streak. Their performance against the Aztecs will be crucial in maintaining momentum as the season progresses.
San Diego State vs California Prediction: San Diego State +12.5
California is entering this game with a 3-0 record, demonstrating strong offensive and defensive performances, particularly in their ability to accumulate points and prevent their opponents from doing so. San Diego State, although currently holding a 1-1 record, has demonstrated resilience, especially at home where they have maintained a winning record. The Aztecs have a history of covering the spread after a loss, having done so 64.7% of the time in their last 17 games after a defeat.
San Diego State’s defense has been competitive, allowing 36 points across two games, which ranks them 22nd. This suggests they have the capability to keep the game closer than the 12.5-point spread might indicate. Additionally, being an underdog tends to bring out their best performances, as their ATS record as underdogs is 16-12 over the last 28 games.
While the California Golden Bears have a formidable offense, San Diego State’s strong home performance and ability to cover spreads as underdogs make them an attractive pick. Given their defensive prowess and the tendency to perform well in underdog positions, the Aztecs have a good chance to cover the spread in this encounter.
Expect the game to be competitive, with San Diego State leveraging their home advantage and defensive capabilities to keep the game within reach. Thus, taking San Diego State +12.5 against the spread appears to be the prudent choice.
- San Diego State vs California Prediction: San Diego State +12.5
- San Diego State vs California Score: California 28 – San Diego State 20
