Table of Contents
The Independence Bowl will see the Texas Tech Red Raiders hitting the field against the California Golden Bears on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Kickoff is at 9:15 PM ET on ESPN.
The Red Raiders are favored, but by less than a field goal (-2.5), versus the Golden Bears.
Create your Pick’em Pool with the Internet’s #1 pool creation and hosting platform. Get 15 friends together and play for free!
Start here >
Game Info for Texas Tech vs. Cal
- Game Day: Saturday, December 16, 2023
- Game Time: 9:15 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
- Stadium: Independence Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech | -2.5 | -112 | -108 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Texas Tech Pick Insights
- So far this season, Texas Tech has posted a 4-7-0 record against the spread.
- Texas Tech has a 3-3 record against the spread in games it was favored by 2.5 points or more this season.
- The teams have hit the over in five of Texas Tech’s 11 games with a set total.
Texas Tech Stats & Insights
- Texas Tech is totaling 386.9 yards per game on offense this season (63rd in the FBS), and are surrendering 393.8 yards per game (89th) on defense.
- Texas Tech ranks 69th in scoring offense (26.8 points per game) and 72nd in scoring defense (27 points allowed per game) this season.
- From an offensive standpoint, Texas Tech ranks 73rd in the FBS with 221.1 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the defense ranks 68th in passing yards allowed per contest (226.5).
- Texas Tech ranks 56th in run offense (165.8 rushing yards per game) and 97th in run defense (167.3 rushing yards allowed per game) this season.
- Texas Tech ranks 67th in third-down efficiency (39%) on offense and 99th in third-down conversion rate allowed (41.8%) on defense this season.
- Texas Tech owns the 11th-worst turnover margin in college football at -8, forcing 13 turnovers (104th in the FBS) while turning it over 21 times (112th in the FBS).
Texas Tech’s Best Players
- Behren Morton has racked up 1,498 yards (124.8 ypg) on 155-of-251 passing with 12 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions this season.
- The team’s top rusher, Tahj Brooks, has carried the ball 269 times for 1,447 yards (120.6 per game), scoring nine times.
- Cam’Ron Valdez has carried the ball 39 times for 245 yards (20.4 per game) and one touchdown.
- Xavier White’s team-leading 495 yards as a receiver have come on 34 catches (out of 52 targets) with one touchdown.
- Jerand Bradley has reeled in 36 passes while averaging 35.9 yards per game and scoring four touchdowns.
- Myles Price has a total of 410 receiving yards so far this year, grabbing 43 throws and scoring five touchdowns.
- Tony Bradford Jr. has racked up four sacks to lead the team, while also recording four TFL and 39 tackles.
- Texas Tech’s tackle leader, Ben Roberts, has 91 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and one interception this year.
- Dadrion Taylor leads the team with four interceptions, while also collecting 63 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and six passes defended.
Cal Betting Insights
- Cal has gone 6-5-0 ATS this year.
- Cal has a 3-4 record against the spread this year when an underdog by 2.5 points or more.
- The teams have hit the over in seven of Cal’s 11 games with a set total.
Cal Pick Insights
- Cal ranks 58th in total yards per game (394.9), but it has been worse on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 24th-worst in the FBS with 415.9 total yards conceded per contest.
- Cal has not been getting things done on defense, ranking 21st-worst with 32.7 points surrendered per game. It has been better on offense, compiling 31.6 points per contest (39th-ranked).
- Cal’s defense has been a bottom-25 unit in pass defense this season, surrendering 283.3 passing yards per game, which ranks fourth-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 81st with 213.8 passing yards per contest.
- From an offensive angle, Cal is putting up 181.2 rushing yards per game (34th-ranked). It ranks 39th in the FBS on defense (132.6 rushing yards given up per game).
- From an offensive standpoint, Cal is generating a 39.5% third-down conversion percentage (64th-ranked). It ranks 89th in the FBS defensively (40.7% third-down rate allowed).
- Cal has produced 25 forced turnovers (second in the FBS) and committed 24 turnovers (126th in the FBS) this season for a +1 turnover margin that ranks 53rd in the FBS.
Cal’s Best Players
- Fernando Mendoza leads Cal with 1,447 yards on 131-of-210 passing with 13 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions this season.
- Jaydn Ott has rushed for 1,261 yards on 229 carries so far this year while scoring 11 times on the ground.
- Isaiah Ifanse has racked up 365 yards (on 70 carries) with seven touchdowns.
- Jeremiah Hunter has registered 59 catches this season and his team-high yardage total sits at 675 (56.3 yards per game). He’s been targeted 96 times and has seven touchdowns.
- Trond Grizzell has caught 35 passes and compiled 510 receiving yards (42.5 per game) with five touchdowns.
- Taj Davis has racked up 393 reciving yards (32.8 ypg) and three touchdowns this season.
- David Reese has 7.5 sacks to pace the team, and also has four TFL and 26 tackles.
- Craig Woodson, Cal’s leading tackler, has 66 tackles, two TFL, 0.5 sacks, and one interception this year.
- Cade Uluave has picked off a team-leading two passes. He also has 53 tackles, three TFL, two sacks, and two passes defended to his name.
