California Golden Bears vs. Nevada Wolfpack Preview, Odds, and Free Picks

We have to give HC Jeff Tedford’s team this much. They have been absolutely dominating this year, outscoring their two foes by the count of 104-10. Both Tedford and his entire team know that this is a totally different task, though, and there is a big question as to whether the Cal defense is going to be up to the challenge of facing the Pistol offense. We know that QB Kevin Riley is going to be ready to rock and roll with the offense for the Golden Bears. Cal has dropped 52 on each of its first two foes this year, and a lot of that is thanks to his play. Riley has thrown for 455 yards, an average of 10.34 yards per attempt, to go with seven TDs and no INTs. When you parlay Riley’s passing abilities with the running skills of RB Shane Vereen, you have a devastating offense to try to stop. Vereen might only have 126 rushing yards this year on 30 carries, but he has crossed the end zone five times on the year and can go off for a huge game at any moment. WRs Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones have combined for 18 catches, 344 yards, and four TDs this year.

The Wolfpack bring an A+ offense into this game that has been virtually unstoppable all season long. Nevada is averaging 592 total yards, 297 passing yards, 295 rushing yards, and 50 points per game so far against two foes. Just like with Cal though, this is clearly going to be the toughest task of the year. The man of the hour will be QB Colin Kaepernick. The leader of the Pistol assault not only leads the team in passing with 547 yards, four scores, and no picks on a 71.2 completion percentage, but he is also averaging 10.0 yards per carry, has 221 yards, and four scores on the ground as well. Watch out for RB Vai Taua, who could be ready for a bust out game. Taua has 27 rushes for 169 yards on the year, but we aren’t putting it past Nevada to run him 20-25 times in this game, especially in it gets a sizeable lead. Watch out for WR Virgil Green as well, as he leads the team in receptions (10), receiving yards (178), yards per catch (17.9), and receiving TDs (3).

We haven’t done a lot of talking about defense in this game, and if this is a matter of which offense really blinks first, we tend to give the edge to the hosts in this one. Nevada is virtually unbeatable at MacKay Field, as it is 26-12 ATS there in its L/38 games overall. We aren’t ones to go against this crazy offense or that type of a trend. Simply put, the wrong team is favored here, and we tend to believe that the Wolfpack are going to make us look like geniuses for this college football free pick.