The Clemson Tigers make their first ACC trip to the West Coast on Friday night when they visit the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Both teams enter at 2-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, with each coming off back-to-back wins after dropping its season opener.
Clemson opened the season with a 51-10 loss at LSU before bouncing back with wins over Georgia Southern and North Carolina. The Tigers needed a late rally to get past the Tar Heels last week, overcoming a 17-3 deficit before scoring the final 18 points of a 28-20 victory.
Tait Reynolds made his first career start in that game with Christopher Vizzina sidelined by an elbow injury. Reynolds completed 20 of 29 passes for 215 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Gideon Davidson rushed for 105 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
California has followed a similar 2-1 path under first-year head coach Tosh Lupoi. The Golden Bears dropped their opener 45-24 against UCLA, erasing an 11-point deficit and tying the game at 24 late in the third quarter before UCLA scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth.
The Bears have responded with consecutive wins over Syracuse and Wagner. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-18 road win over Syracuse before piling up a career-high 413 passing yards and three scores in last week’s 49-7 victory over Wagner.
Friday also brings Clemson into unfamiliar territory. This will be the Tigers’ first conference game on the West Coast and their first-ever trip to Berkeley, with the two programs meeting for only the second time overall and first time since the 1992 Florida Citrus Bowl.
Clemson vs. Cal Odds
Clemson is a small road favorite for Friday night’s ACC clash at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook:
- Point Spread: Clemson -1.5 (-105) | California +1.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Clemson -115 | California -105
- Total: Over 50.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110)
Referenced odds subject to change.
Best Bet for Clemson vs. Cal
California +1.5 (-115): Clemson’s 2-1 record looks better than some of the football the Tigers have played through three games. They were overwhelmed in a 51-10 loss at LSU to open the season and then needed a fourth-quarter comeback at home to escape North Carolina last week.
Cal’s only loss also looks worse on paper than it played out. The Golden Bears were tied 24-24 with UCLA late in the third quarter before the Bruins pulled away with 21 unanswered points in the fourth. Cal has responded with back-to-back wins, including a road victory over Syracuse in its ACC opener.
Scheduling is another factor to consider when looking at this matchup. Clemson is traveling across the country on a short week for a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff in its first-ever visit to Berkeley and first conference game on the West Coast.
The Tigers then return home to face No. 6 Miami next Saturday, putting a marquee ACC matchup immediately on the other side of an unfamiliar trip to California.
Clemson simply hasn’t shown enough through three games for us to lay points in this spot, even with such a small number. With Cal playing at home, we’ll back the underdog to take advantage of a prime look-ahead spot for the Tigers.
- Best Bet: California +1.5 (-115)
Betting Splits at Hard Rock Bet
Hard Rock Bet players are all over Clemson to win and cover:
- Moneyline: Clemson has pulled in 66.7% of all moneyline tickets, but only 41.1% of the handle.
- Spread: Clemson -1.5 is receiving 62.9% of all spread bets and 65.6% of the money.
- Total: Over 50.5 has drawn 63% of the tickets and 52.6% of the handle.
Clemson vs. California Game Info
- šļø Location: California Memorial Stadium – Berkeley, California
- š Date: Friday, September 25
- ā° Start Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- šŗ Where to Watch: ESPN
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