Nevada Wolfpack vs California Golden Bears Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 4 (9/4): NCAAF

Credit: photo by Jason Bean-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

 

Time	10:30 p.m. EST
Owls money line	+130
Owls spread	+3.5 (-110)
Scarlet Knights money line	-160
Scarlet Knights spread	-3.5 (-110)
Over / under	52.5 (-110)

 

Preview

The California Golden Bears will host the Nevada Wolfpack to open the 2021 season. The Golden Bears lead the all-time series 22-3-1, but the Wolfpack have won the last two contests.

Nevada Wolfpack 

The Nevada Wolfpack posted a 7-2 record last season and finished third in the Mountain West. Jay Norvell will be entering his fifth year as head coach, and he's posted a 25-22 record in four seasons with a pair of bowl wins

Carson Strong returns as the starting quarterback for Nevada. He thrived last season, throwing for 2,587 passing yards with 22 touchdowns to just four interceptions.

Toa Taua is back in the Wolfpack backfied. The senior rusher ran for 573 rushing yards with three touchdowns and 25 catches. Senior back Devonte Lee rushed for 322 yards and two scores. Nevada will also return their top four pass catchers from last year. Romeo Doubs led the team with 58 catches for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns. Tight end Cole Turner caught 49 passes for 606 yards and nine scores.

Calfornia Golden Bears

The California Golden Bears only played four games last season, and went 1-3. They'll book looking to bounce back after back-to-back winning seasons in 2018 and 2019. Dustin Wilcox will be entering his fourth season in charge. He's posted a even 21-21 record during his first three years, with a bowl win in 2019.

Redshirt senior Chase Garbers returns at quarterback. He's started 22 games in his career, and he's thrown for 3,684 passing yards with 30 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Garbers is also a threat on the ground, and he's added 714 rushing yards and five scores.

Damien Moore and Marcel Dancy return after splitting touches last season. Moore turned 38 carries into 188 yards, while Dancy recorded 156 yards and ten catches. Redshirt senior Kekoa Crawford led the team in receiving with 19 catches, 232 yards and two scores.

Prediction

Beware of the upset here. Nevada comes into this game with more of a sample of success. The Wolfpack will enter the legendary Memorial Stadium with an experienced roster on both sides of the ball. Cal's short season leaves a lot of uncertainty and room for an upset. We like Nevada's chances on the road here. Take their moneyline Saturday night, and eye the over of 52.5.

PICK: Nevada Wolfpack ML (+130)

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