NC State vs California Prediction & Betting Tips - October 19 | College Football Week 8

The NC State Wolfpack (3-4, 0-3 ACC) will face the California Golden Bears (3-3, 0-3) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. Both teams have struggled through the first half of the 2024 season.

NC State is coming off a 24-17 loss to Syracuse and has lost two games in a row. California is coming off a 17-15 loss to the then-No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers and has lost three games in a row.

NC State vs California prediction

When you look at the records of these teams, you would expect a close game. That is not what the analytical models and sportsbooks are projecting. Most project a dominant victory for the California Golden Bears.

One of the major reasons that California is projected as a big favorite is it has competed well against ranked opponents in the past two weeks. Last Saturday, the Golden Bears were narrowly defeated by the Pittsburgh Panthers. The previous week, they almost defeated the then-No. 8 Miami Hurricanes but lost 39-38.

Although those are both losses, they showed that California is a capable team that should be able to beat lesser opponents like NC State. Additionally, when looking at games against unranked opponents, California has a 3-1 record this season.

NC State has not shown to be capable of competing with high-ranked opponents. In the Week 2 matchup against the then-No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers, the Wolfpack were blown out 51-10. Then, in Week 4, they lost 59-35 to the then-No. 21 Clemson Tigers.

NC State's biggest strength this season has been its offense, putting up at least 30 points four times. However, it has been inconsistent, failing to score more than 20 points twice.

The defense has had strong moments, allowing less than 25 points four times, but it also allowed more than 50 points twice, so it has been up and down. For that reason, most outlets project a loss for NC State.

The sportsbooks have the spread set at 10.5 points and we predict a 31-17 victory for the California Golden Bears.

NC State vs California betting tips

Tip #1: Bet on California to win the game (-372).

Tip #2: Bet on the Golden Bears to cover the -10.5 point spread (-110).

Tip #3: Wager over the total of 46.5 points (-111).

NC State vs California head-to-head

Although this should be an interesting Week 8 matchup, it is not one with much of a rivalry. NC State vs California is a game that has never happened before in college football.