At the beginning of the season the TCU Horned Frogs were considered a strong alternative pick and contender in the Big 12 Conference. Contrarily not much was expected of the California Golden Bears. TCU ended up as a major betting on NCAA Football disappointment and barely earned bowl qualification. The Cal Bears also finished with a good push to make a bowl. Although many do not realize it the Golden Bears have emerged as one of the top defensive teams in the land. By contrast the TCU offense struggled all season and may find the bowl game going tough.
Cheez It Bowl
California Golden Bears vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 26, 2018, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
Betting on NCAA Football Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | PK (-110) | 39½ (-110) |  |
| California | PK (-110) | 39½ (-110) | |
| |||
Cheez It Bowl TV Coverage: ESPN
TCU Horned Frogs
Certainly, this was a disappointing season for the TCU Horned Frogs. A fifth-place finish in the Big 12 Conference is not what is expected from head coach Gary Patterson’s program. On this occasion it did take a strong finish to get TCU in this bowl game. TCU won three of their final four games including a 31-24 season finale home payout over Oklahoma State. As a result, TCU has a Betting on NCAA Football record of 6-6 straight up, 4-8 vs. the odds, and 6-6 on totals. Patterson’s squad finished 4-5 in Big 12 Conference action.
California Golden Bears
California did finish strong with the Offshore bookmaker with five payouts in their last six games. On the whole the Golden Bears finished 7-5 straight up, 6-5-1 vs. the odds, and 3-9 under the total. In addition, Cal was 4-5 in Pac 12 Conference action finishing fifth in the North Division. Cal finished with seven unders in their last eight games. In just his second year on the job head coach Justin Wilcox has flipped the image of Cal. Consider he arrived at a time when defense was a foreign concept for the then pass happy program.
Stats to Consider
A clear difference exists between the Cal offense and defense. Correlate the Golden Bears national ranks of 112th for offense but 16th for defense. Along the same lines is a TCU team with similar issues. The Horned Frogs ranked 92nd in the nation for offense but 27th for defense.
Team vs. Team
California has been a very reliable play on the board as a road team. In fact, the Bears have been Golden with six payouts in their last seven away games. They have stayed under the total in their last seven road tilts. TCU has been in the red recently on the road. For Example, the Horned Frogs have covered just three of their last seven games away from home. Seven of their last nine road matchups have gone under the total,
Matchup to Watch
Starting with their similar styles of play does this game make sense as a pick ‘em. However, Cal stands to have a potential matchup advantage at quarterback with Chase Garbers. To illuminate Garbers has a 14/7 touchdown to interception ratio. Further Betting on NCAA Football help comes from Patrick Laird, who ran for 932 yards rushing.
TCU vs. Cal Betting on NCAA Football Picks
Cal has been in better form and a better value heading into this game.
TCU vs. Cal Betting on NCAA Football Pick: California Golden Bears
TCU vs. Cal Betting on NCAA Football Score Prediction: Cal 21, TCU 17
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