Last week, the Auburn Tigers had a fake season opener against the FCS Alabama A&M in a classic paycheck game. Auburn did what was expected and what they were supposed to do with an utter obliteration of Alabama A&M. This week, the Tigers host the California Golden Bears. Correlate that Cal gave them a surprisingly competitive game at Berkeley last year. Cal is coming off their own FCS season opener against UC Davis. The Beas prevailed but failed to get the Betting on College Football money. Cal enters the week with confidence that they can hang with War Eagle.
California Golden Bears vs. Auburn Tigers NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, September 7, 2024, 3:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Jodan Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN2 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | +14 -110 | 53½ -110 | – |  |
| Auburn | -14 -110 | 53½ -110 | – | |
| ||||
California Golden Bears Team Overview
Last game, the California Golden Bears won 31-13 against FCS UC Davis. The game went under a total of 57. Cal has a record of 1-0 straight up, 0-1 against the spread, and 0-1 over/under the total. Previously, Cal has been a marginal offshore betting bowl program.
Auburn Tigers Team Overview
Last game, the Auburn Tigers lost 31-13 against FCS Alabama A&M as 48-point home favorites. The game went over a total of 59.5. Auburn has a record of 1-0 straight up, 1-0 against the spread, and 1-0 over/under the total. Overall, Payton Thorne threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. And Auburn opened its season with a 73-3 victory over in-state FCS opponent Alabama A&M on Saturday night.
Thorne wasted no time in taking advantage of his new wide receivers. To show, he threw two touchdowns to Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Additionally, he tossed another one to highly touted freshman Cam Coleman in the first quarter. Fellow freshman receiver Perry Thompson added a 70-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.
At the beginning, Auburn got a 34-yard touchdown run from Jarquez Hunter on the fourth play of the game. Thorne scored his rushing touchdown from 4 yards out in the second quarter. And then Damari Alston added a 2-yard score just before halftime.
Malcolm Simmons, another Auburn freshman receiver, scored two touchdowns in the third quarter on a blocked punt and a 55-yard reception. While California transfer Sam Jackson V added a 42-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. In sum, Auburn threw for 451 yards in the victory. That was the most for the Tigers in a single game since Nick Marshall had 456 passing yards against Alabama in 2014.
The Tigers added seven newcomers to a wide receiver room that has struggled over the last several years. In turn, they made their impact rather quickly in the season opener. Thorne still had some misfires that he’ll want to clean up. But there was a clear difference in Auburn’s ability to both get open and stretch the field Saturday night.
Specifically, the Auburn offensive scheme relied heavily on run-pass options. Auburn threw the ball against favorable matchups from the Alabama A&M defense more often than usual. The Tigers only ran 46 offensive plays and recorded 18 rushing attempts as a team.
Cal at Auburn SBG Free Picks
There is always interest in betting on college football with Auburn. Especially when the Tigers are at home against a weak opponent. Thus, Gamblers will need to assess the Betting on College Football price and value of this matchup carefully.
Cal at Auburn SBG Best Bet: Auburn Tigers.