Auburn Tigers (1-0) vs. California Golden Bears (1-0)
Auburn Tigers vs. California Golden Bears 9/9/23 – With the college football season in full swing, all eyes will be on California Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2023, as the Auburn Tigers (1-0) face off against the California Golden Bears (1-0) at 10:30 PM ET, aired on ESPN. Both teams are coming into the match with a win under their belt, and this game will be a critical test for both sides.
For the Auburn Tigers, Payton Thorne leads the charge at the quarterback position, but their running game and wide-receiving core shouldn’t be ignored either. Running back Sean Jackson has made the most of his limited carries, amassing 64 rushing yards on just 5 attempts with a long rush of 45 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Malcolm Johnson Jr. has been a big-play threat, securing 2 receptions for 59 yards, averaging an impressive 29.5 yards per catch.
On the other side, California’s offensive juggernaut starts with Ben Finley at the quarterback position, but the contributions from their running back and wide receiver are equally vital. Jaydn Ott, the Golden Bears’ running back, has had a terrific start, churning out 188 rushing yards on 20 carries with 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jeremiah Hunter has been Finley’s favorite target, recording 6 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. Check out our free daily NCAAF picks for more insights.
Auburn Tigers vs. California Golden Bears Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 9, 2023, 10:30 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | California Memorial Stadium |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
Payton Thorne QB vs. Ben Finley QB
Auburn’s QB Payton Thorne has shown a balanced level of performance with a 58.8% completion rate on 17 passing attempts, accounting for 141 yards. With a passer rating of 147.9, Thorne has also managed to find the end zone once without throwing an interception.
Ben Finley for the California Golden Bears has been efficient and effective, boasting a 70.6% completion rate on 34 attempts, throwing for 279 yards. Though he has thrown for one interception, his passer rating of 143.3 and a touchdown pass indicate that he is a force to be reckoned with.
When comparing the two, Finley seems to have a slight edge in completion rate and total yards, although Thorne’s efficiency is demonstrated by his slightly higher passer rating. It sets the stage for a closely contested quarterback battle, making this matchup all the more intriguing.
Odds/Point Spread: California Golden Bears +215, Total Odds: 54.5
The betting odds favor Auburn, with a spread of -6.5 and a moneyline of -255. Meanwhile, California comes in with a spread of +6.5 and a moneyline of +215. The total is set at 54.5, indicating a potentially moderate-scoring affair.
Auburn Tigers Betting Trends
Auburn comes into the match with a mixed bag of betting trends. They are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games but have struggled in straight-up scenarios, being 6-12 SU in their last 18 games. Their road performance is even more alarming, standing at 0-6 SU in their last 6 away games. However, they have a perfect 5-0 SU record against Pac-12 opponents, which is a statistic that can’t be ignored.
California Golden Bears Betting Trends
California’s betting trends indicate a stronger recent form, with a 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games. They also boast a striking 18-2 SU record in their last 20 games played in week 2, which seems to be an edge in this particular matchup. Though their overall SU record is 2-7 in the last 9 games, the over trend has been consistent, going OVER in 6 of their last 6 games.
Auburn Tigers vs. California Golden Bears 9/9/23 Betting Picks
Taking into account all the data, this game appears to be a close matchup, but the edge may go to California, particularly given their strong ATS trends and week 2 SU record. Auburn’s lackluster road performance and California’s home advantage further tilt the scales in favor of the Golden Bears. For those looking to bet, taking California at +6.5 looks to be a solid choice. As both teams have been trending towards high-scoring games, taking the OVER on 54.5 also seems like a logical pick. For more insights, check out our free sports picks today.
Free Pick and Prediction: California Golden Bears will win 31-27.