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The Independence Bowl will see the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the California Golden Bears take the field on Saturday, December 16, 2023. The matchup begins at 9:15 PM ET and airs on ESPN.
The Red Raiders are the favorites (-3) in their matchup against the Golden Bears, with the over/under at 57.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Red Raiders are -153 and the Golden Bears are +128.)
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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 | -109 | -111 | 57.5 | -111 | -109 | -153 | +128 |
Texas Tech Pick Insights
- Texas Tech has posted a 4-7-0 record against the spread this season.
- In games it has played as at least 3-point favorites this season, Texas Tech is 1-2 against the spread.
- Texas Tech has hit the over in five of its 11 games with a set total (45.5%).
Texas Tech Stats & Insights
- Texas Tech is putting up 386.9 yards per game on offense this season (63rd in the FBS), and are giving up 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 year.
- Texas Tech is averaging 221.1 passing yards per game on offense this season (73rd in the FBS), and is surrendering 226.5 passing yards per game (68th) on the defensive side of the ball.
- Texas Tech is totaling 165.8 rushing yards per game on offense (56th in the FBS), and ranks 97th defensively with 167.3 rushing yards allowed per game.
- Texas Tech is averaging a 39% third-down percentage on offense, which ranks them 67th in the FBS. Defensively, the defense ranks 99th, giving up a 41.8% third-down percentage.
- Texas Tech has forced 13 total turnovers (104th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 21 times (112th in the FBS) resulting in a turnover margin of -8, the 11th-worst in college football.
Texas Tech’s Best Players
- Behren Morton has 1,498 passing yards for Texas Tech, completing 61.8% of his passes and recording 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.
- Tahj Brooks has carried the ball 269 times for a team-high 1,447 yards on the ground and has found the end zone nine times as a runner.
- Cam’Ron Valdez has carried the ball 39 times for 245 yards (20.4 per game) and one touchdown.
- Xavier White’s team-high 495 yards as a receiver have come on 34 receptions (out of 52 targets) with one touchdown.
- Jerand Bradley has put up a 431-yard season so far with four touchdowns, hauling in 36 passes on 74 targets.
- Myles Price has been the target of 60 passes and racked up 43 receptions 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. has four sacks to pace the team, and also has four TFL and 39 tackles.
- Ben Roberts is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s picked up 91 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and one interception.
- Dadrion Taylor leads the team with four interceptions, while also collecting 63 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and six passes defended.
Cal Betting Insights
- So far this season, Cal has put together a 6-5-0 record against the spread.
- Cal is 3-4 against the spread when an underdog by 3 points or more this season.
- Out of Cal’s 11 games with a set total, seven have hit the over (63.6%).
Cal Pick Insights
- Cal has sputtering defensively, ranking 24th-worst with 415.9 total yards given up per game. It has been more effective on offense, putting up 394.9 total yards per contest (58th-ranked).
- Cal has been sputtering on defense, ranking 21st-worst with 32.7 points given up per game. It has been better on offense, posting 31.6 points per contest (39th-ranked).
- Cal has been struggling against the pass, ranking fourth-worst with 283.3 passing yards given up per game. It has been more productive offensively, putting up 213.8 passing yards per contest (81st-ranked).
- Cal is accumulating 181.2 rushing yards per contest on offense this season (34th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 132.6 rushing yards per game (39th-ranked) on defense.
- Cal is generating a 39.5% third-down conversion rate on offense this season (64th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up a 40.7% third-down rate (89th-ranked) on defense.
- With 25 forced turnovers (second in the FBS) and 24 turnovers committed (126th in the FBS) this season, Cal ranks 53rd in the FBS with a turnover margin of +1.
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 carried the ball 229 times for 1,261 yards, with 11 touchdowns.
- Isaiah Ifanse has run for 365 yards across 70 carries, scoring seven touchdowns.
- Jeremiah Hunter leads his squad with 675 receiving yards on 59 receptions with seven touchdowns.
- Trond Grizzell has 35 receptions (on 64 targets) for a total of 510 yards (42.5 yards per game) and five touchdowns this year.
- Taj Davis has racked up 393 reciving yards (32.8 ypg) and three touchdowns this season.
- David Reese leads the team with 7.5 sacks, and also has four TFL and 26 tackles.
- Craig Woodson is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s amassed 66 tackles, two TFL, 0.5 sacks, and one interception.
- Cade Uluave has picked off a team-high two passes. He also has 53 tackles, three TFL, two sacks, and two passes defended to his name.
