Cal v. Washington College Football Betting Odds and Lines: Golden Bears Are Big Underdogs

California is a three-score underdog against the Washington Huskies

Las Vegas oddsmakers think the California Golden Bears (2-1) will need a miracle to pull off an upset against the No. 8 Washington Huskies (3-0).

California opens Pac-12 conference play against No. 8 Washington in Seattle on Saturday, Sept. 23, and the latest college football betting odds and lines imply the Golden Bears are a three-score underdog against the Huskies.

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Cal v. Washington college football betting odds and lines: Who is favored to win?

The Cal v. Washington college football betting odds opened at California +21.5 on Sunday, Sept. 17, according to Vegas Insider, an aggregator of U.S. sportsbooks’ odds and betting lines.

The latest college football betting odds for California v. Washington, as of Wednesday morning, are between California +21 and California +21.5, which implies the California Golden Bears are about 21-point underdogs against the Washington Huskies.

Many U.S. sportsbooks have “over-or-under” totals available for bets between 59.5 and 60.5 points, as of Wednesday morning, per Vegas Insider. The “over-or-under” total opened at 63.5 points on Sunday, Sept. 17, according to the sportsbook odds aggregator.

With an over-or-under total set at 59.5 points, an “over” bet would pay out if the combined final score of Cal v. Washington is 60 points or higher, and an “under” bet would cash out if the game’s point total is 59 points or lower.

The “moneyline” bet for California v. Washington is between California +700 and California +950 and Washington -1667 and Washington -1100, per Vegas Insider.

A moneyline bet at the most favorable odds for California (California +950) would pay a $950 profit on a $100 gamble if California beats Washington on Saturday. In contrast, a moneyline wager on Washington at Washington’s most favorable odds of Washington -1100 would require a $1,100 bet to return a profit of $100.

Cal v. Washington college football: What you should know

U.S. sportsbook bettors have put their money overwhelmingly on the Washington Huskies. According to data collected by Vegas Insider, 90% of U.S. sportsbook wagers and 98% of all money bet on the game have been on Washington.

The Washington Huskies are 3-0 against the spread in the 2023 college football season. The California Golden Bears are 2-1 against the spread.

Notably, while California has lost the two previous match-ups against Washington, bettors on the Golden Bears have historically fared well. California won both games against the spread of California +7.5 after losing by only a touchdown in 2021 and 2022.

Washington is ranked No. 8, heading into the 102nd overall meeting with California. The Huskies lead the country in passing offense and are ranked second in total offense and eighth in scoring offense thanks to quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. The Washington play-caller is already a Heisman Trophy contender, having thrown for at least 400 yards and three passing touchdowns in every game this season.

But the Golden Bears have done well against the Huskies when the Seattle team has been ranked nationally. California beat No. 14 Washington 20-19 in 2019 in Seattle, and came out on top, 12-10, against No. 15 Washington in Berkeley, Calif., in 2018.

California’s defense may help the visiting team steal an upset. The Golden Bears’ defensive unit, nicknamed “The Takers,” have forced 10 turnovers this season, tied with Colorado, Fresno State, Liberty and San Diego State for first nationally. The defense has also shut out two opponents—Idaho and North Texas—and limited Auburn to only one touchdown in the second half.

California will also expect star running back Jaydn Ott to play on Saturday. The sophomore tailback was listed on the Golden Bears’ depth chart this week after missing last weekend’s game against the Idaho Vandals. Ott averaged 133 rushing yards in the first two games of the season.