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The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the California Golden Bears meet for the Independence Bowl. The matchup is at 9:15 PM ET on December 16, 2023, and airs on ESPN.
The Red Raiders are favored, but by less than a touchdown (-3), against the Golden Bears. The over/under for this matchup is 58 points.
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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 | -3 | -110 | -110 | 58 | -110 | -110 | -156 | +129 |
Texas Tech Pick Insights
- So far this season, Texas Tech has posted a 4-7-0 record against the spread.
- Texas Tech is 1-2 against the spread when favored by 3 points or more this season.
- Texas Tech has gone over in five of its 11 games with a set total (45.5%).
Texas Tech Stats & Insights
- From an offensive standpoint, Texas Tech ranks 63rd in the FBS with 386.9 yards per game. Meanwhile, its defense ranks 89th in total defense (393.8 yards allowed per contest).
- Texas Tech is totaling 26.8 points per game on offense (69th in the FBS), and ranks 72nd defensively with 27 points allowed per game.
- On offense, 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).
- Offensively, Texas Tech ranks 56th in the FBS with 165.8 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the defensive unit ranks 97th in rushing yards allowed per contest (167.3).
- Offensively, Texas Tech ranks 67th in the FBS with a 39% third-down percentage. Meanwhile, the team’s defense ranks 99th in third-down percentage allowed (167.3).
- 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 1,498 passing yards for Texas Tech, completing 61.8% of his passes and tossing 12 touchdowns and 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 has hauled in 34 catches for 495 yards (41.3 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone one time as a receiver.
- Jerand Bradley has hauled in 36 receptions totaling 431 yards, finding the end zone four times as a receiver so far this campaign.
- Myles Price has been the target of 60 passes and compiled 43 catches for 410 yards, an average of 34.2 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone five times through the air this season.
- Tony Bradford Jr. paces the team with four sacks, and also has four TFL and 39 tackles.
- Ben Roberts, Texas Tech’s leading tackler, has 91 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and one interception this year.
- Dadrion Taylor has a team-leading four interceptions to go along with 63 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and six passes defended.
Cal Betting Insights
- Cal is 6-5-0 against the spread this year.
- Cal has a 3-4 record against the spread this season when an underdog by 3 points or more.
- Cal games have hit the over in seven out of 11 opportunities (63.6%).
Cal Pick Insights
- Cal has not been getting things done defensively, ranking 24th-worst with 415.9 total yards allowed per game. It has been better on the other side of the ball, posting 394.9 total yards per contest (58th-ranked).
- Cal ranks 39th in points per game (31.6), but it has been worse on the other side of the ball, ranking 21st-worst in the FBS with 32.7 points surrendered per contest.
- 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 offense, it ranks 81st with 213.8 passing yards per contest.
- Cal is generating 181.2 rushing yards per game on offense this season (34th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 132.6 rushing yards per game (39th-ranked) on defense.
- From an offensive perspective, Cal is putting up a 39.5% third-down conversion percentage (64th-ranked). It ranks 89th in the FBS defensively (40.7% third-down rate allowed).
- Cal has registered 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 has thrown for 1,447 yards (120.6 yards per game) while completing 62.4% of his passes and recording 13 touchdown passes with seven interceptions this season.
- The team’s top rusher, Jaydn Ott, has carried the ball 229 times for 1,261 yards (105.1 per game) with 11 touchdowns.
- Isaiah Ifanse has run for 365 yards across 70 carries, scoring seven touchdowns.
- Jeremiah Hunter paces his team with 675 receiving yards on 59 catches with seven touchdowns.
- Trond Grizzell has recorded 510 receiving yards (42.5 yards per game) and five touchdowns on 35 receptions.
- Taj Davis has racked up 393 reciving yards (32.8 ypg) and three touchdowns this season.
- David Reese has racked up 7.5 sacks to pace the team, while also recording four TFL and 26 tackles.
- Cal’s leading tackler, Craig Woodson, has 66 tackles, two TFL, 0.5 sacks, and one interception this year.
- Cade Uluave has a team-high two interceptions to go along with 53 tackles, three TFL, two sacks, and two passes defended.
