Lovie Smith has long been celebrated as a defensive mastermind. And that defensive prowess has been a major part of his pushing the boulder that is Illinois up the hill. Progress has been slower than was hoped for. But the former Bears coach has put the Illini in a bowl for the first time since the 2014 season. In the same way, Justin Wilcox’s defensive expertise has made Cal into an NCAA Football betting Bowl team for the second consecutive season. The Golden Bears have become a respected Pac 12 teams based on that nasty stop unit.
California Golden Bears Vs. Illinois Fighting Illini – Red Box Bowl
| Date and Time: | Monday, December 30, 2019, 4 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California |
| California Vs. Illinois TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | +7 (-115) | 43½ (-110) | +225 |  |
| California | -7 (-105) | 43½ (-110) | -265 | |
| ||||
California Golden Bears Vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Overview
Illinois has an offshore bookmaker record of 6-6 straight up, 8-4 against the spread, and 5-7 under the total. Overall the Fighting Illini have national metrics of 78th for scoring offense and 53rd for points allowed. By contrast, Cal is 7-5 straight up, 6-6 vs. the line, and 4-8 under the total. Golden Bears rankings show 115th for scoring offense, but 32nd for points allowed.
Key Golden Bears: QB Chase Garbers (1500 YDS, 59.3%, 8.2 AVG, 10 TD, 3 INT, 21 SACK, 142.4 RTG), RB Christopher Brown Jr (184 ATT, 1500 YDS, 4.2 AVG, 8 TD), WR Nikko Remigio (34 REC, 477 YDS, 14.0 AVG, 2 TD), PK Greg Thomas (28-29 XP, 11-17 FG, 61 PTS), LB Cameron Goode (51 TACKLES, 8.5 SACKS)
Key Illini: QB Brandon Peters (1611 YDS, 54.6% COMP, 6.8 AVG, 17 TD, 7 INT, 22 SACKS, 129.2 RTG), RB Reggie Corbin (129 ATT, 634 YDS, 4.9 AVG, 6 TD), WR Josh Imatorbhebhe (33 REC, 634 YDS, 19.2 AVG, 9 TD), PK James McCourt (40-41 XP, 11-17 FG, 73 PTS), LB Jake Hansen (72 TACKLES, 3.5 SACKS), LB Dale Harding (148 TACKLES, 3 INT, 2 TD)
California Vs. Illinois ATS Stats
The Golden Bears are:
- 10-2 against the spread in their last 12 away games
- 2-11 under the total away from home
- 3-10-1 vs. the odds as a favorite
- 1-7 under the total in their last eight games laying points
- 1-4 with the line in postseason matchups
- 2-3 under the total in their last five bowl games
The Fighting Illini are:
- 3-5 against the spread in their last eight away games
- 0-5 under the total on the road
- 7-1 with the number as an underdog
- 3-5 under the total in their last eight games as a pup
- 2-3 vs. the odds in their last five bowl games
- 0-3 under the total in postseason
- 2-2 on the board in their head to head series with Cal
- 2-1 over the total against the Golden Bears
California Golden Bears vs. Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Football Betting Picks
In this situation, Cal’s lack of offense could prove to be a drag on their NCAA Football Betting value. Making a seven-point lay with such an unreliable unit is chancy at best.
California Vs. Illinois NCAA Football Betting Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini
California Vs. Illinois NCAA Football Betting Score Prediction: Illinois 21, Cal 20