Cal Football Predictions, Betting Tips & Team Preview 2023: WagerTalk Best Betting Guide
Cal Football Predictions & Preview 2023:
Expert college football handicapper Ron Marmalefsky runs down Cal’s chances for 2023 and provides expert tips for betting on Cal in 2023.
Ron looks at areas to watch, favorability of schedule, offers a predicted record for Cal football in 2023 and offers some handicapping tips for betting on Cal this season.
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Cal Football Preview 2023: Cal Picks for Betting
Justin Wilcox is 30-36 over six seasons. Like it or not, season #7 might be a fight to save his job.
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Cal Football Predictions: AREAS TO WATCH
Who is Samuel Jackson? He comes from TCU and is said to be mobile. It’s him, or mediocre Ben Finley from North Carolina State, so all eyes are on new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital (decent in this role, awful as the main guy) to get the most out of this position.
I like RB Ott, but there is zero depth after that. I don’t see anything special otherwise, so let’s see if the returning guys can be coached up.
Defensively, both the run defense (4.5) and the pass defense (65.6%) slipped a year ago. Cal’s 2nd and 3rd best tacklers are gone, but every other guy who had double-digit tackles returns.
I expect improvement, even with Utah added to the schedule. I have two other critical watch areas. 1st, the new PK is untested (and was not recruited).
Every kick will matter for a team trying to make their 1st bowl game since ’19. 2nd, with raw QB’s Cal is not only unlikely to repeat a +6 turnover ratio, that ratio is likely to get worse. How much worse is the question.
Cal Football2023 Predictions, Cal Schedule:
Cal opens at North Texas, home to Auburn and home to 7-5 Idaho. Staff experience has to be an edge, and 2-1 must be the floor. Cal has had mixed outings hosting Oregon State (big loss at their place last year). Unlike Arizona State, Oregon State has a solid staff in place.
This is a swing game for possible bowl contention. It’s nice they will be rested before hosting USC, but the talent disparity might be too much to overcome.
Another critical game is when they host Washington State on 11/11. Closing games are at Stanford (lean Cal) and at UCLA (some negative situations, but their last chance to beat a Cal team that ditched them for Big 10).
Cal Football Bottom Line:
This year is all about the potential of a positive offensive coordinator change, the turnover ratio, and the kicking game.
I think the defense will be better, but as usual, I won’t take this for granted. I like Wilcox, but even though Cal is cash-strapped, another losing season means that this team will be left behind.
I can’t decide between 6-6 and 5-7, but I’d like to see the Bears back in a bowl game. Justin, get it done!
Cal Football HANDICAPPING TIP:
I like Cal games (47-14 ATS, 18-4 personal record last 22). They are 19-12 ATS when in the role of a rush pick.
Last year I said this (right here): With a young roster, their 14-26 ATS performance in the 2nd of back-to-back road games comes into play.
It did (2-0 vs. Cal). Under Wilcox, Cal is 8-18 ATS when favored, and 26-10 as a dog. That’s just more food for thought.
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