cal-defense-celebrate.jpg
Getty Images

3rd Quarter Report

After a tough defeat on the road their last time out, California looks much better today on their home field. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead Miami (FL) 35-18. California's offense has been firing on all cylinders thus far, outscoring their total from two weeks ago with time still left to play.

If California keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 4-1 in no time. On the other hand, Miami (FL) will have to make due with a 5-1 record unless they turn things around (and fast).

Who's Playing

No. 8 Miami (FL) Hurricanes @ California Golden Bears

Current Records: Miami (FL) 5-0, California 3-1

How To Watch

  • When: Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: California Memorial Stadium -- Berkeley, California
  • TV: ESPN
  • Follow: CBS Sports App
  • Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
  • Ticket Cost: $69.00

What to Know

California will be in front of their home fans on Saturday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-field advantage. They and the Miami (FL) Hurricanes will face off in an ACC battle at 10:30 p.m. ET at California Memorial Stadium. Both have allowed few points on average, (the Golden Bears: 12.8, the Hurricanes: 15) so any points scored will be well earned.

California is headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week's over/under low at 44, but even that wound up being too high. They took a 14-9 hit to the loss column at the hands of Florida State. The Golden Bears gained 126 more yards on the day, but it was the Seminoles that made the best use of them.

Special teams was responsible for all of the team's points. All those points came courtesy of Ryan Coe: he added nine points with three field goals. His longest was a 50-yard strike in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, Miami (FL) put another one in the bag last Friday to keep their perfect season alive. They managed a 38-34 victory over Virginia Tech. The 38-point effort marked the Hurricanes' lowest-scoring contest of the season, but in the end it didn't matter.

Cam Ward was his usual excellent self, throwing for 343 yards and four touchdowns, while also punching in a touchdown on the ground. Ward is crushing it when it comes to passing yards: he's passed for at least 304 every time he's taken the field this season.

Miami (FL) was moving up and down the field and finished the game with 508 total yards (they're ranked second in total yards per game overall). That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now gained at least 508 total yards in five consecutive matchups.

Having lost for the first time this season, California fell to 3-1. As for Miami (FL), they pushed their record up to 5-0 with the win, which was their third straight at home.

Odds

Miami (FL) is a big 10-point favorite against California, according to the latest college football odds.

The line on this game has moved quite a bit since it opened, as it started out with the Hurricanes as a 14-point favorite.


The over/under is 54 points.

See college football picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now.

Injury Report for California

  • Justin Williams-Thomas: questionable (Knee)
  • Kyion Grayes: questionable (Undisclosed)
  • Tobias Merriweather: questionable (Undisclosed)

Injury Report for Miami (FL)

  • Rueben Bain Jr.: out (Undisclosed)
  • Isaiah Thomas: out (Undisclosed)