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The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the California Golden Bears meet for the Independence Bowl. The bowl matchup is December 16, 2023, starting at 9:15 PM ET, airing on ESPN.
The Golden Bears are underdogs, but by less than a touchdown (+3.5), against the Red Raiders (with an over/under of 58 points).
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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 | -3.5 | -111 | -109 | 58 | -110 | -110 | -173 | +145 |
Texas Tech Pick Insights
- Texas Tech has a 4-7-0 record against the spread this season.
- Texas Tech is 1-2 against the spread when favored by 3.5 points or more this season.
- Texas Tech games with a set total have hit the over five times this season (45.5%).
Texas Tech Stats & Insights
- On offense, Texas Tech ranks 63rd in the FBS with 386.9 yards per game. Meanwhile, its defense ranks 89th in total defense (393.8 yards allowed per contest).
- Texas Tech is putting up 26.8 points per game on offense (69th in the FBS), and ranks 72nd on the other side of the ball with 27 points allowed per game.
- Texas Tech is putting up 221.1 passing yards per game on offense this year (73rd in the FBS), and is surrendering 226.5 passing yards per game (69th) on defense.
- Texas Tech is totaling 165.8 rushing yards per game on offense, which ranks them 56th in the FBS. The team’s defensive unit ranks 97th, surrendering 167.3 rushing yards per contest.
- Texas Tech is putting up a 39% third-down conversion rate on offense, which ranks them 67th in the FBS. On the other side of the ball, the defense ranks 99th, surrendering a 41.8% third-down conversion rate.
- Texas Tech has the 11th-worst turnover margin in college football at -8, forcing 13 turnovers (104th in the FBS) while turning it over 21 times (112th in the FBS).
Texas Tech’s Best Players
- Behren Morton has thrown for 1,498 yards (124.8 ypg) to lead Texas Tech, completing 61.8% of his passes and recording 12 touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions this season.
- Tahj Brooks has 1,447 rushing yards on 269 carries with nine touchdowns.
- Cam’Ron Valdez has been handed the ball 39 times this year and racked up 245 yards (20.4 per game) with one touchdown.
- Xavier White’s 495 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 52 times and has totaled 34 receptions and one touchdown.
- Jerand Bradley has caught 36 passes for 431 yards (35.9 yards per game) and four touchdowns this year.
- Myles Price has been the target of 60 passes and hauled in 43 grabs 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. paces the team with four sacks, and also has four TFL and 39 tackles.
- Ben Roberts is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s collected 91 tackles, two TFL, one sack, and one interception.
- Dadrion Taylor has a team-leading four interceptions to go along with 63 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and six passes defended.
Cal Betting Insights
- Cal has gone 6-5-0 ATS this season.
- Cal is 3-4 against the spread when an underdog by 3.5 points or more this year.
- Seven of Cal’s 11 games with a set total have hit the over (63.6%).
Cal Pick Insights
- Cal ranks 58th in total yards per game (394.9), but it has been less productive on the other side of the ball, ranking 24th-worst in the FBS with 415.9 total yards conceded per contest.
- Cal ranks 39th in points per game (31.6), but it has been less effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 21st-worst in the FBS with 32.7 points allowed per contest.
- Cal’s defense has been a bottom-25 unit in pass defense this season, ceding 283.3 passing yards per game, which ranks fourth-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 81st with 213.8 passing yards per contest.
- In terms of rushing, Cal ranks 34th in the FBS on offense (181.2 rushing yards per game) and 39th on defense (132.6 rushing yards allowed per game).
- In terms of third-down efficiency, Cal ranks 64th in the FBS (39.5% third-down conversion percentage) and 90th defensively (40.7% third-down rate allowed).
- Cal has compiled 25 forced turnovers (second in the FBS) and committed 24 turnovers (126th in the FBS) this season for a +1 turnover margin that ranks 53rd in the FBS.
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 rushed for 1,261 yards on 229 carries so far this year while scoring 11 times on the ground.
- Isaiah Ifanse has run for 365 yards across 70 attempts, scoring seven touchdowns.
- Jeremiah Hunter’s 675 receiving yards (56.3 yards per game) lead the team. He has 59 receptions on 96 targets with seven touchdowns.
- Trond Grizzell has collected 510 receiving yards (42.5 yards per game) and five touchdowns on 35 receptions.
- Taj Davis’ 38 receptions (on 56 targets) have netted him 393 yards (32.8 ypg) and three touchdowns.
- David Reese paces 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.
