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Expert prediction

California vs North Texas Odds, and Picks (Sep 2)

  • Keith McCarthy
  • Aug 25, 2023 at 7:28 PM EDT

Pick rationale

Analysis & key factors

  • California had another very disappointing season, going just 4-8.
  • North Texas narrowly lost the Frisco Bowl, ending the year at 7-7.
  • These two teams last met on September 14, 2019, in a game California won 23-17.

The college football season is almost here. Let’s preview the upcoming California vs North Texas game.


How to Watch

  • ESPNU

Preview

California finished 4-8 last year, posting yet another subpar result. They’re now 10-16 over the past three seasons, and haven’t reached 9 wins since 2008. The Golden Bears will be hoping for some marked improvement in 2023 under 7th-year head coach Justin Wilcox. It seems very likely at this point that they will be joining the ACC next season, so Cal will attempt to take a step forward before leaving the Pac-12.

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North Texas went 7-7 in their final year in the Conference USA. They jumped out to a 7-5 start, but wound up losing the C-USA title game to UTSA and then the Frisco Bowl to Boise State. The Mean Green had some decent success in the C-USA, posting a total record of 57-57 in 9 of 10 seasons, with the outlier being a bad 1-11 season. They’ll aim to take another step forward against even tougher AAC opponents.


Prediction

Both of these teams will be hoping to make statements to their new conferences. North Texas will be aiming to prove the AAC made the right choice in adding them, while California will be advertising their ability to a new conference for next season. The Golden Bears are favored by a FG here, but I don’t trust them at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if a scrappy Mean Green squad pulls off the upset at home in Week 1.

NCAAF Picks:

  • North Texas 24, California 23 ()

Market

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NCAAF

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