Skip to main content
Jackson Sirmon of the California Golden Bears returns a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal.
Jackson Sirmon of the California Golden Bears returns a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images via AFP.

The UCLA Bruins and California Golden Bears renew their in-state rivalry as part of Friday's Week 13 college football action. Check out our UCLA-California college football picks.

UCLA (6-5 against the spread, 8-3 Over/Under) comes in off of back-to-back losses. Last week’s 3-point defeat to crosstown rival USC officially put an end to the Bruins’ chances of competing for a Pac-12 Conference Championship.

Meanwhile, California (6-5 ATS, 6-5 O/U) managed to snap a lengthy six-game losing streak last week. The Golden Bears outscored Stanford 21-3 in the fourth quarter to rally for their first win since late September.

Here are our college football betting picks for the Week 13 matchup between UCLA and California (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, BetRivers, and DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale)

Check out all of our top college football picks for Week 13!

UCLA vs. California Game Info

Date: Friday, Nov. 25, 4:30 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Location: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, CA
Weather: 65 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation, 4-mph winds W

UCLA vs. California Odds

UCLA vs. California Odds Analysis

The consensus opening spread of UCLA -9 is up to -11 as of Friday morning. The move has been helped by 76% of the tickets backing the Bruins with 83% of the total handle.

Bettors are also strongly aligned on the Over/Under. The opening line of 61 has ticked up slightly to 61.5 with 84% of the tickets and 79% of the cash on the Over.

UCLA vs. California Picks

  • Spread: California +10.5 (-115 via FanDuel)
  • Over/Under: Over 60 (-109 via BetRivers)
  • Prop bet: UCLA -6 first half (-105 via DraftKings)

UCLA vs. California ATS Pick

California +10.5 (-115) ★★

Based on the records of the two teams, it’s no wonder why such a hefty majority of bettors are laying the points with UCLA. However, one has to question where the Bruins’ heads will be after the disappointing loss to USC last week. With FanDuel’s line deviating half a point from the key number of 10, bettors are advised to target this extra value.

Now eliminated from the conference-title picture, UCLA could be more prone to a lackluster showing on Friday than some might expect. The Bruins were so focused on winning the crosstown rivalry that they slipped up against Arizona the week prior. 

It’s also worth noting that this will be only the fourth time that Chip Kelly’s squad has gone on the road all season. Considering that two of the prior three road games came against Colorado and Arizona State, one could argue that UCLA hasn’t exactly faced much quality competition outside of the Rose Bowl. 

From a matchup standpoint, California actually could fare quite well offensively. Veteran quarterback Jack Plummer should be able to pick apart a UCLA secondary that ranks 118th in the country in average passing yards allowed.

Of course, there is reason to worry about a letdown for California after the big rivalry win over Stanford last week. However, the fact that the Golden Bears will be playing with house money makes them an appealing underdog. Already eliminated from bowl eligibility, Cal can put all its energy into hanging tough with another of its biggest rivals.

UCLA vs. California O/U Pick

Over 60 (-105) ★★★

Only one of UCLA’s games against FBS-level competition this season has fallen short of 60 combined points scored. As California possesses a bit more offensive prowess than the Stanford outfit that scored only 13 points against the Bruins in Pasadena, one can’t help but believe that this season-long trend will continue.

Entering Friday’s matchup, the Bruins rank fifth in the nation with an average of 39.5 points per game. Aside from the loss to Arizona two weeks ago, UCLA has scored at least 30 points in every other game to date. Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Zach Charbonnet are the focal points of an offense that ranks sixth in adjusted efficiency for the season.

For as potent as the Bruins’ offense has been, the defense has given a whole lot back. Entering Friday’s finale, UCLA ranks just 77th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Though Cal lacks the same kind of star power and explosiveness on offense, it’s impossible to dismiss Plummer and Co. in what figures to be a favorable matchup.

The fact that UCLA implements a hurry-up tempo offensively should also play into the hands of those betting the Over. With most major sportsbooks listing the game total at 60.5, bettors should target the lingering half-point of value at BetRivers.

UCLA vs. California Prop Pick

UCLA -6 first half (-105) ★★

On the surface, backing UCLA to cover the first-half spread runs contrary to our inkling that California will cover the game. That said, if the Bruins do show up focused, it’s hard to turn our backs on laying less than a touchdown in the first 30 minutes.

So far this season, the difference in first-half offensive productivity between these two teams is drastic. The Golden Bears have averaged only 8.1 first-half points scored per game. That paltry number ranks among the worst in all of FBS. It is also nearly 12 points fewer than the 19.8 that the Bruins have averaged in the first half of games this season.

The fact that other sportsbooks are listing the first-half spread at UCLA -6.5 only makes this line at DraftKings’ that much more inviting.

Where to Bet on UCLA vs. California Picks

  Check out our best sportsbooks:  

UCLA-California picks made 11/23/2022 at 2:03 p.m. ET